Repotting guide

When & how to repot Prostrate Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus 'Prostratus')

Also called Creeping Rosemary, Trailing Rosemary.

More about prostrate rosemary

About Prostrate Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus 'Prostratus' · also called Creeping Rosemary, Trailing Rosemary · herb

Prostrate rosemary is a low, spreading form of culinary rosemary that cascades over walls, banks, and pot edges, carrying the same needle leaves, blue spring flowers, and aromatic, kitchen-ready foliage. It loves full sun and sharp drainage, tolerates drought, but is less cold-hardy than upright cultivars and dislikes wet winter soil.

Mature size: Typically 15-30 cm tall but trailing 0.6-1.2 m or more sideways, draping further over edges and walls.

Watch for — Winter root rot: Cold, wet soil rots the roots of this less-hardy form; ensure very sharp drainage and reduce winter watering, or overwinter pots under cover.

How to tell prostrate rosemary needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For prostrate rosemary, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot prostrate rosemary

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Prostrate Rosemary's growth habit — low, trailing, woody evergreen that spreads sideways and cascades downward rather than growing upright; ideal for raised beds, retaining walls, and hanging containers. — sets the pace. Prostrate rosemary is a low, spreading form of culinary rosemary that cascades over walls, banks, and pot edges, carrying the same needle leaves, blue spring flowers, and aromatic, kitchen-ready foliage. It loves full sun and sharp drainage, tolerates drought, but is less cold-hardy than upright cultivars and dislikes wet winter soil.

What size pot to step prostrate rosemary up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Prostrate Rosemary stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot prostrate rosemary

Spring or summer, while prostrate rosemary is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting prostrate rosemary

Repot dry. Do not water prostrate rosemary for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty free-draining, gritty, neutral to slightly alkaline ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set prostrate rosemary at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep prostrate rosemary completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for prostrate rosemary

Prostrate Rosemary wants free-draining, gritty, neutral to slightly alkaline. Sharp drainage is essential, particularly over winter. Lighten heavy soils with grit; in pots use a loam-based mix with added grit or perlite and avoid moisture-retentive composts. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting prostrate rosemary — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot prostrate rosemary?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for prostrate rosemary. Repot prostrate rosemary every 2–3 years into a snug pot of free-draining, gritty, neutral to slightly alkaline, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does prostrate rosemary need?

When is the best time of year to repot prostrate rosemary?

Should you water prostrate rosemary after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot prostrate rosemary into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise prostrate rosemary after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting prostrate rosemary. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.