📍 Sacramento, CA · Zone 9b · Last frost Tuesday, February 10, 2026
✏️ ChangeWhen to Plant Rosemary in Sacramento, California (94271)
Location
Sacramento, California
ZIP Code
94271
USDA Zone
9b
Last Frost
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates
Start Seeds Indoors
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Transplant Outdoors
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Based on last frost Tuesday, February 10, 2026 · Zone 9b
Pro tip: Start Rosemary seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
🌿 Plant Details
☀️ Growing Requirements
☀️
Sun
Full Sun (6+ hours)
💧
Water
Low (drought tolerant)
↔️
Spacing
24" apart
🌱
Planting Depth
0.25" deep
Seeds typically germinate in 14-21 days
Ready to Plant Rosemary in Sacramento?
Get your seeds now so they're ready by Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
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🤝 Good Companions
Full Companion Planting Guide for Rosemary
See which plants help Rosemary thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →
🛠️ Supplies You'll Need
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Common Rosemary Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Tuscan Blue
Vigorous upright rosemary with large, intensely fragrant leaves — excellent for cooking.
Arp
One of the most cold-hardy rosemaries, surviving to Zone 6 with protection.
Blue Spires
Tall, upright variety with blue-toned flowers; fragrant and great for hedges.
Prostrate (Irene)
Low-growing trailing rosemary that cascades over walls and containers beautifully.
🌾 Seed Saving Guide
🟡 ModerateWhen to Harvest Seed
Collect seeds from dried flower clusters in late summer after flowering.
Processing
Strip dried flower clusters, separate seeds from chaff. Surface sow — seeds need light to germinate.
Seed Viability
Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
Rosemary seed germination rates are low (20–30%). Stem cuttings give far more reliable results.
Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 8 plants of Rosemary. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Rosemary in Sacramento, California? +
In Sacramento (Zone 9b), start Rosemary seeds indoors around Tuesday, December 2, 2025 and transplant outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
What is the last frost date for Sacramento, California? +
The average last spring frost date for Sacramento, California (ZIP 94271) is around Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 9b.
How long does Rosemary take to grow? +
Rosemary typically matures in about 120 days from transplanting. In Sacramento, that means you can expect harvest around Tuesday, February 24, 2026 plus 120 days.
Should I start Rosemary indoors or direct sow in California? +
Rosemary should be started indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date. In Sacramento, that means starting around Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
📚 More Rosemary Planting Guides
Other Plants for Sacramento
Growing Rosemary in Zone 9b
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a popular garden vegetable. In Sacramento, California, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, you should start seeds indoors around Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Your average last frost date is Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Plan to transplant your Rosemary seedlings outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.