Rosemary is a hugely popular cooking ingredient. It instantly adds a fragnant note to your favourite savoury dishes, and is a great way to jazz up mashed potatoes, fries and even cocktails. 

It's also really easy to grow at home, whether in the garden or on your windowsill. However, if you're planting it outside, then there's one thing that can inhibit its growth and cause it to die off quicker. The experts at House Beautiful have sounded the alarm about rosemary, urging gardeners to make sure they get adequate light. 

Weslie Etienne Pierre, author of The Modern Plant Parent, has issued some important advice for anyone planning on planting rosemary this summer. 

One of the most important things to remember is that rosemary plants, although they're easy going, need a lot of natural light in order to thrive. 

Unlike other herbs like mint or basil, rosemary thrives in bright and dry areas. "It needs bright, full sunlight and no shade, so plant it away from trees," she said. 

"If you're keeping it indoors, a south-facing window with full access to the sky is best."

Rosemary needs at least six hours of sunlight a day, so planting it next to any large trees is a no-no if they're going to block out the rays. If it doesn't get enough sunlight, it will lead to 'weak, spindly growth' which no gardener wants. 

Good air circulation is also key, as this will help to ward off any diseases. Although rosemary prefers a drier soil, water your plant every few days if there’s no rain. If you've got an indoor plant, let it dry out slightly before watering again.

And when it comes to indoor growth challenges, light is the biggest one yet again.

The experts recommend keeping your rosemary plant in a bright east, west, or south-facing window, or use a grow light to provide some extra support if you don't get a lot of bright natural light at home. 

North-facing windows do not offer enough light, especially during the winter. Insufficient light will cause your rosemary plant to develop weak growth and lose its leaves.