Rosemary, Salvia rosmarinus, is the needle-leaved Mediterranean shrub whose resinous scent flavours roast potatoes, breads and grilled meats. In 2017 botanists moved it from Rosmarinus into Salvia, the sage genus. In India it grows well in pots and hill gardens. An extract of rosemary is used as a natural antioxidant preservative in foods.
- Botanical name
- Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Tamil
- Rosemary
- Hindi
- Rosemary
- Parts used
- Leaf
- Habit
- Rosemary; garden sage is a cousin, not this leaf
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Rosemary
It is an evergreen shrub with woody stems and narrow, needle-like leaves, dark green above and white-woolly beneath, with rolled edges.
Small, pale blue to violet, two-lipped flowers grow along the stems.
The whole plant smells strongly of pine and camphor.
Garden sage, Salvia officinalis, has broad, grey, wrinkled leaves.
Some forms grow upright as hedges, while others trail over walls.
Traditional use of Rosemary
Mediterranean kitchen
Rosemary flavours roast meats, potatoes, focaccia and soups in Italian, French and Spanish cooking.
Mediterranean food practice
European tradition
Rosemary has been linked with memory and remembrance in European folklore for centuries.
European folklore
Modern notes on Rosemary
Rosemary contains carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. Rosemary extract (E392) is used to slow fats going rancid in foods.
Small studies on rosemary aroma and memory exist, but the evidence is limited.
Rosemary safety
Use it as a culinary herb. Do not swallow the essential oil, and avoid large doses in pregnancy.
Ecology and sourcing
It is native to the dry, rocky coasts of the Mediterranean, which is the meaning of its Latin name, “dew of the sea”.
It needs full sun and well-drained soil, and it dislikes waterlogging during the Indian monsoon.
Bees visit its flowers year-round in mild climates.
Related plants
Also in Lamiaceae
Questions about Rosemary
What older names does Salvia rosmarinus go by?
Rosmarinus officinalis.
Can I grow Rosemary in India?
Yes, in pots with good drainage and plenty of sun.
Is Rosemary sage?
It is now in the sage genus, but garden sage is Salvia officinalis.
How do I keep Rosemary alive in the monsoon?
Grow it in a pot with gritty soil, and move it out of heavy rain.
Sources
- Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q102240169 (Salvia rosmarinus)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.