Question
Good Afternoon, Tom,
   I would love your help with a bit of information I can't seem to find.  This is with respect to indoor plants, small containers, grown in a New York City climate.  I am used to herbs like basil, where constantly snipping off the end-leaves encourages growth.  

Some rosemary seeds finally have come forth.  Do I pinch off the ends to encourage growth?  The same question with lavendar (English lavender)?  The seed packets themselves offered no help for this information - herb books simply mention rosemary as being difficult to grow from seed and list all the types of lavendar.

It seems like rosemary and lavender grow as they will, clipped or not - is this correct?

Thank you
Ira Taubman


Answer
Hi Ira,
Thanx for your question.  If you're going to grow lavender indoors may I recommend Spanish or French lavender?  This plant is not hardy in the New York climate but should do okay indoors as it requires warmer temperatures.  You can keep rosemary and lavender trimmed and even shape it somewhat by carefully pruning it.  Rosemary responds better to pruning than does lavender.  I hope this helps.
Tom