Grow Your Own Mini Indoor Rosemary Christmas Tree

Sometimes, holiday decorations can be practical and cute enough to be used all year round. Cultivating a mini rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) topiary shaped like a Christmas tree is the perfect example of just that. Not only can you decorate this evergreen perennial, but you can also pinch off some of the fragrant herb to use in recipes anytime. This member of the Lamiaceae family of mint and sage plants sometimes grows up to 6 feet tall, but regular pruning can keep it contained and shaped year-round.

The shrub's needle-like foliage already looks a bit like a conifer, so the untrained eye might not be able to tell the difference between it and other kinds of pine trees at first glance. Some types of rosemary work better for this DIY decoration, though. Avoid any creeping varieties used for groundcover. Compact, upright cultivars that grow slowly work best inside, like 'Blue Boy'. 'Baby PJ', another container-friendly type, boasts pretty deep green leaves that perk up any foyer table. For a fuller, bushier look, pick 'Madeline Hill'. If you'd like your topiary to even smell like balsam, then 'Pine' rosemary is for you. It's not edible and strictly decorative, but it emits a candle-worthy scent.

No matter the type, this herb needs full sun near a bright window. If you don't have a nice south-facing one, artificial lights will do, but keep them on most of the day. The best watering practice to keep rosemary flourishing is not to overwater. This plant prefers dry soil rather than wet, so use a pot that drains well.

The key to turning rosemary into a mini holiday tree boils down to being disciplined about pruning. Your scissors coax it into a perfect, cone-like shape. Wait until any cuttings reach maturity before you grab the shears, though. This usually means after they flower for the first time.

If you start from a cutting or young plant, choose the strongest sprig to act as the center or trunk and trim off the others around it. To create a guide to help you prune, tie two bits of string to this main branch, spreading them out to help create a triangle. Always start from the bottom with your plant, and to avoid plant shock, never cut more than a third of the stems. Remember, the more you sculpt, the more you encourage new growth, and the bushier it will get. If you prefer a sparse tree like Charlie Brown's, trim it less. 

Once you achieve the look you'd like, decorate it with tinsel, mini lights, or small ornaments. Battery-powered fairy lights do nicely, because they're small and lightweight. Just make sure to use LED bulbs, as the incandescent counterparts can singe delicate leaves. After the holidays, care for your rosemary tree by keeping it in a cool place away from heater vents. If leaves or stems brown or die off, the air might be too dry. Put the pot in a saucer or tray topped with water and pebbles, which help moisten the air without drowning the roots.