Rosemary
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a typical plant of Mediterranean vegetation.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a typical plant of Mediterranean vegetation. It grows wild along the coasts, and as an aromatic plant it is cultivated over a wider area. Bees visit it eagerly, but the main flow is in early spring, so this valuable nectar source cannot always be exploited.
Rosemary honey is made in the Mediterranean countries of Europe (mainly Spain), North Africa and Turkey. It is very light, has a fine flavour and a good commercial value. In Provence rosemary flowers from February to March. Rosemary pollen is under-represented in the honey.
Why this matters to you: rosemary honey depends on early spring, so in cool years there may be little of it or none at all.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Rosmarinus officinalis |
|---|---|
| Season | Early spring; in Provence from February-March |
| Region | Mediterranean coasts; honey from Spain, North Africa, Turkey |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Rosemary → kind of → Honey plants → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Honey plants
- Which honey it gives
- Rosemary honey
Frequently asked questions
When does rosemary bloom?
The main flow is in early spring; in Provence rosemary flowers from February to March.
Is it true that rosemary honey is available every year?
Not always. The main nectar flow is in early spring, so this source cannot always be exploited.
Where is rosemary honey made?
In the Mediterranean countries of Europe (mainly Spain), North Africa and Turkey.
Where does rosemary grow?
Wild along Mediterranean coasts; as an aromatic plant it is also cultivated over a wider area.
What is rosemary honey like?
Very light, with a fine flavour and good commercial value; rosemary pollen is under-represented in it.
Similar
Black locust · Rapeseed · Sweet chestnut · Heather (ling) · Lavender · Thyme
Sources
- Persano Oddo L., Piro R. (2004) Main European unifloral honeys: descriptive sheets. Apidologie 35 (Suppl. 1)
- Application for registration of Miel de Provence, OJ C 261, 30.10.2003 (EUR-Lex)
- Single document Miel de Granada PDO (amendment), OJ C/2025/4996 (EUR-Lex)