Australian Native Rosemary Plant Care

Australian Native Rosemary (Prostanthera lasianthos) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Prostanthera genus. Australian Native Rosemary is native to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania in Australia. Australian Native Rosemary is also known as Mountain Mint Bush, White Flower Mint Bush.

Australian Native Rosemary displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Australian Native Rosemary produces small, tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Australian Native Rosemary every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Australian Native Rosemary thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Prostanthera lasianthos tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Australian Native Rosemary prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Australian Native Rosemary to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Australian Native Rosemary every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Australian Native Rosemary is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Australian Native Rosemary can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Australian Native Rosemary while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Australian Native Rosemary is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Australian Native Rosemary can be propagated through softwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mint bush plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Australian Native Rosemary is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Australian Native Rosemary grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Australian Native Rosemary is native to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania in Australia. In cooler regions, grow Australian Native Rosemary as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.