Irene

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Aromatic evergreen sprigs of Irene Rosemary spill a resinous, pine-leaning fragrance with an elegant, silvery-green sheen.

The foliage is fine and needle-like, tender yet resilient, with a bright, herbaceous flavor that shines in fresh bouquets and dried bundles alike. Ideal for garden beds and edging where its creeping habit can be trained into fragrant swaths for roasting aromas, herb oils, and savory infusions—plus a bold, aromatic presence in pickling brines and herb blends.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Spreading

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Irene Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Mar 30th	Jul 6th	Oct 4th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Sep 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Sep 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	Jun 30th	Sep 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Sep 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	Jun 24th	Sep 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	Jun 19th	Sep 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	Jun 15th	Sep 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	Jun 12th	Sep 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Jun 6th	Sep 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Jun 1st	Aug 30th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	May 22nd	Aug 20th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	May 13th	Aug 11th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	May 4th	Aug 2nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	Apr 17th	Jul 16th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Mar 23rd	Jun 21st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Spreading
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Irene rosemary brings a resinous, evergreen punch that stands up to heat without turning into woody bitterness, especially when used in short infusions or under-cooked meats. Its fine needle texture makes it ideal for herb oils and brines where the aroma stays sharp rather than dull.

Best Uses

roasting aromatics (slip sprigs under chicken or lamb for a perfumed, non-mushy hit)
quick steeped herb oil or rosemary-lemon oil for finishing
savory infusions for stocks and braises
herb-driven pickling brines and salt blends (hold flavor through curing/drying)

Flavor Profile

resinous pine-leaning aroma bright, herbaceous bite fine needle-tender texture slightly bitter herbal finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil butter chicken lamb

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary-type salvia), and how can I control it at home?

Watch for fungal issues like root rot and leaf spot during cool, wet weather—these are common when plants stay constantly damp. Water only when the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil is dry and make sure the pot/bed drains well; remove any badly spotted leaves and improve airflow by spacing plants. If it’s container-grown, use a free-draining mix and avoid wetting foliage when watering.

How often should I water Salvia rosmarinus during the main growing phase?

During active growth, water deeply but infrequently so the soil dries slightly between waterings. In most home gardens this works out to about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and your soil, but always confirm by checking that the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) is dry first. Aim for consistent dryness rather than frequent light watering, which keeps roots too wet.

How do I tell when Salvia rosmarinus is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants have enough strong leafy growth—typically around 90 days from sowing/establishment for best flavor and usable foliage. Take small to medium cuttings once stems are well-developed and leaves are fully formed and fragrant; avoid removing more than about one-third of the plant at a time. If you’re harvesting sprigs for use, pick in the morning when the foliage smells strongest.