5 Herbs You Can Grow as a Substitute for Rosemary

Rosemary has a distinct aroma and flavor, along with many culinary uses, but it may not be everyone’s favorite herb. A few herbs can be grown as a substitute for rosemary that will provide the garden beauty, texture, and fragrance plus make a good substitute in recipes.

Rosemary Substitute Herbs

Here are 5 herbs that you can grow as a substitute for rosemary that will brighten your garden and add flavor to your meals.   

1. Grow Basil Instead of Rosemary

Basil (Eden Brothers Seeds) is a fast-growing, annual herb that’s a member of the mint family. Basil is a versatile and fragrant herb that’s easy to grow from seeds in your home garden.

Basil can be grown indoors or outdoors, in containers or the ground. It’s a tropical plant that will not grow well in cool conditions, so place the herb in full sun. Keep soil moist but not soggy at all times.

Plant in spring after all danger of frost has passed. The herb can be grown in a container placed outside during the spring and summer months, then brought inside in fall so it can continue growing during the winter months.

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2. Marjoram

Seeds: Sweet Marjoram Herb Garden – Buy Now at True Leaf Market

This is a cold-sensitive, annual herb that grows best when planted under taller herb plants that will protect it. Native to the Mediterranean region, marjoram has a citrus-floral flavor and the dried leaves are used to make a tea that is said to provide many health benefits.

Plant seeds in late spring and keep plants pruned to promote new growth. Allow majoram to flower and produce seeds for next year’s planting.

3. Sage as Rosemary Substitute

Organic Sage Seeds at Eden Brothers Seeds – Buy Now

This fragrant herb is a member of the mint family and has a distinct fragrance that is easy to identify. This herb is an easy-care perennial that produces blue-purple blooms throughout the summer.

Plant sage seeds in a sunny location and well-draining soil after all danger of frost has passed in the spring. Sage is a hardy herb plant and that will produce a multitude of tiny tubular blooms on each stem from summer through fall.

4. Savory

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Savory has two types: summer and winter. Summer savory is a bushy annual that grows 18-inches high. Winter savory is a spreading perennial that grows 12-inches high. Both have a peppery flavor and both are used to add flavor to meat and vegetable dishes.

Plant summer savory seeds in the spring and winter savory seeds in the fall. Select a sunny location and well-draining soil for growing this herb.

5. Thyme

Organic Thyme Seeds at Eden Brothers Seeds – Buy Now

Thyme is a fragrant perennial herb that adds a delicate aroma and grassy-flavor spice to any dish. Thyme requires plenty of sunshine and well-drained soil to thrive. Harvest thyme as soon as the plant has plenty of foliage.

Thyme does not need to be fed but if you can give the herb a light feeding of compost in early spring. Propagate this herb by taking a leaf-tip cutting and root it in a glass of water or root-divide mature plants.

Do you have a recommendation for a rosemary substitute you like to use? Let us know in the comments!

Last update on 2020-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API