Root Bound Rosemary

My rosemary plants grow very fast. Even though we eat them daily, they still grow faster than we can cut. Within a year, they become root bound, no matter how big the pot. The following are signs when your rosemary becomes root bound, and also what to do when your rosemary becomes root bound. If steps are not taken to address the root ball of the rosemary, the whole plant will die a sudden and mysterious death.

Leaves turn brown (not black, just a milk chocolate brown).

White root nubs appear on the woody stems because the rosemary is trying to find space to grow more roots.

I divide the rosemary into parts and bury the white root nubs in the soil. I leave in bright shade for 1 month. The white root nubs will send out new roots quite quickly.

I hard prune the root ball and repot the rosemary back into its old pot.