Perennial shrub / herb
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
A woody Mediterranean herb that thrives on neglect outdoors but is the most commonly killed houseplant when overwintered indoors — usually by overwatering.
| Light | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Low; drought-tolerant once established |
| Spacing | 60-90 cm |
| Zones | Zones 7-10 outdoors; container elsewhere |
| Harvest | Snip sprigs any time; established plants tolerate heavy cutting |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Outdoors vs indoors
Outdoors in a sunny, well-drained spot, rosemary is nearly indestructible. Brought inside for winter it struggles: low light, dry heated air, and well-meaning frequent watering combine to kill it by spring far more often than cold does outside.
Powdery mildew on indoor plants
A white coating on indoor rosemary is usually powdery mildew from poor air circulation, not a watering problem — space plants apart and use a small fan.