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Rosemary Drying Up #922601

Asked December 02, 2025, 2:30 PM EST

I inherited a rosemary plant for my mother who was keeping the plant outside during the summer, and would bring the plant indoors during the fall through winter before returning outside again in the spring when temps were above freezing overnight. Well, seems like the plant is drying up on me? Even though I watered regularly in the soil drains very well. It seems all the branches are drying up from the bottom to the top of the plant. Am I overwatering? Under watering? Or something else that play…

Marquette County Michigan

Expert Response

It looks like you have what was a beautiful rosemary plant. Unfortunately, rosemary are very difficult to overwinter inside in Michigan. Rosemary is a plant native to the Mediteranean area. In the winter it requires cool (not cold) temperatures, bright light, well drained soil, and high humidity. Our dark, dry, indoor heated, winter climate is not good for keeping the plant alive. That being stated, I understand your desire to try. It appears that the plant needs more humidity (not necessarily more water) and cooler temperatures than it is getting. Here are a couple of bulletins with information and suggestions on overwintering the plant if you want to try and keep it going.


https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/garden-scoop/2018-10-18-rosemary


https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/rosemary_the_herb_with_winter_problems


Good luck with the plant!


Thank you for your question! Replied December 02, 2025, 5:06 PM EST

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