How to Make Rosemary Water for Hair

Step 1: Add water to your saucepan and bring it to a boil.

Adding in the rosemary to the boiling water.

Step 2: Add fresh rosemary sprigs and remove it from the heat. Cover and steep for at least an hour or until cool.

Pouring the cooled rosemary water into a clear spray bottle using a metal funnel.

Step 3: Carefully transfer the cooled rosemary water to your spray bottle using a funnel.

Spraying the rosemary water into the strands of my hair.

Step 4: Lightly mist onto dry hair daily or 2-3 times a week for normal hair. (see tips below)

Tips

For the best results, use rosemary water regularly for at least 6 months. It may take a few months to see noticeable results, so be patient!
Store your rosemary water in its bottle in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks, though you’ll likely have used it all by then!
You can use rosemary water on dry or lightly damp hair. However, most people notice the best results when it’s used as a final rinse after a shower.
Avoid using dried rosemary, as it won’t be as effective for this type of application. Fresh rosemary is best.

Lightly Spraying Rosemary water into my hair.

How to Use Rosemary Water for the Best Results

A few of you have asked exactly how to work this into your routine. Here is how I do it and what I have picked up along the way:

How often: For most hair, 2 to 3 times a week is plenty. If your hair leans dry, start there rather than going daily.
Leave-in or rinse: You can use it either way. I mist it on and leave it in, but a lot of people love it as a final rinse after they shampoo.
Where to focus: Spray it onto your scalp and roots, then comb it through to the ends. Your scalp is really where you want it.
Overnight: You sure can, it is gentle enough to leave on while you sleep. Just let your hair dry a little first so your pillow stays happy.
When to expect results: Give it a few months of steady use before you decide. Softer, shinier hair comes quick, and anything beyond that is slow, so consistency is key.

Variations to Try

You may love how simple this is, just rosemary and water. Honestly, that is all I have ever used.

But this little recipe has really taken off, and I know a lot of you have seen the fun spins floating around. I have not personally tested the versions below, so I can’t speak to how they work, but here is what other folks do:

Rosemary and rice water. This is the big one right now, mixing strained rice water into the cooled rosemary water for extra slip and a protein feel. If you try it, use it up quickly, since rice water does not keep long.
Rosemary and clove. A few whole cloves simmered right along with the rosemary. It gives the water a warm, spicy scent.
Rosemary and mint. A little fresh peppermint or spearmint steeped in for a cool, tingly feel on the scalp. It smells amazing.
A few drops of oil. Some people stir a drop or two of jojoba or peppermint oil into the finished spray for a little extra nourishment.

A couple of honest reminders before you experiment. The more you add, the shorter it will likely last in the fridge, so make smaller batches, and always patch test a new ingredient.

If you try one of these, come tell me how it went in the comments. I would love to hear what is working for you!

Recipe FAQs

Can rosemary water be used on any hair type?

Rosemary water is generally considered safe for hair as long as you’re not allergic to rosemary. However, it’s always a good idea to test a small patch of skin before using it to ensure there are no reactions.

How often should you use rosemary water in your hair?

You can use rosemary water daily, however in most cases, 2-3 times a week is enough.

What is a good alternative to rosemary water?

I like to alternate between this recipe and my rose water for hair spray!

How do you use rosemary water?

Spray it lightly onto dry or damp hair, then gently comb through from your scalp to the ends to distribute it evenly.

Does rosemary water actually regrow hair?

The research showing real results used rosemary oil, not water, and even then it took months. I think of the water as a gentle way to care for my scalp and hair, and results vary from person to person.

What are the disadvantages of rosemary water?

For most people it is very gentle, but it only keeps about two weeks in the fridge since there is no preservative, so make small batches. As with anything new, do a quick patch test in case you are sensitive to rosemary.

Can I leave rosemary water in my hair overnight?

Yes, it is gentle enough to spray on before bed and leave in until morning. Just let your hair dry a little first so your pillow stays dry.

Is rosemary water or rosemary oil better for hair?

They do slightly different jobs, and the oil is more concentrated, but it has to be diluted first. The water is gentler and easier to use every day, so I reach for it, but there is no wrong answer.

Can you use rosemary water on colored or treated hair?

Generally yes, since it is so simple and gentle. If your hair is color-treated or your scalp runs sensitive, do a quick patch test first.

What Does Rosemary Water do for Your Hair?

While it’s important to note that rosemary water isn’t a guaranteed solution for hair loss, it’s a great addition to your hair care routine! There are not a lot of studies directly related to rosemary water. However, this study by the NIH suggests rosemary oil can be effective in helping with hair growth.

Rosemary’s natural oils may be beneficial for the scalp, and as we know, a well-cared-for scalp is key to keeping hair in good condition. If you would like, you can check out my homemade rosemary oil for hair post here.

Whether it’s due to its nourishing properties or simply because it’s a natural ingredient, I’ve noticed that using rosemary water makes my hair feel softer, stronger, and shinier—exactly what I’m after!

Since it’s a toxin-free, natural product, it’s a wonderful choice for anyone looking for a simple, effective hair care addition. Give it a try and see how it works for you!

Holding my hair apart as I spray rosemary water onto the strands.

Rosemary Water vs Rosemary Oil for Hair

If you have read about rosemary for hair, you have probably seen it called nature’s answer to hair growth. I want to be straight with you: most of the real research is on rosemary essential oil, not rosemary water.

There is an often-shared study from the NIH that found rosemary oil held its own against a common over-the-counter hair treatment over several months. But that was the concentrated oil massaged into the scalp, not a fresh rosemary water mist like this one.

So where does that leave our rosemary water? I think of it as the gentle, everyday cousin, far more diluted, which is exactly why I love it for daily use.

Verywell Health notes that rosemary may help support a healthy scalp, and a happy scalp is a big part of happy hair.

What rosemary water will not do is work miracles, and I would never tell you otherwise. It is a gentle, natural part of your hair care routine, and I love it for exactly that.

For me it is simple. My hair feels softer, stronger, and shinier when I use it, and that is exactly what I am after.

Rosemary Water Benefits

Can be used as a hair rinse: Similar to my DIY apple cider vinegar hair rinse, rosemary water makes a refreshing, natural rinse after washing your hair, leaving it feeling clean and invigorated.

Works as a hair cleanser: It’s a gentle, natural cleanser for the scalp. Very Well Health even highlights its potential benefits for scalp care.

Potential for supporting hair growth: While individual results vary, rosemary water may help support hair growth when used regularly, making it a popular choice for those looking to incorporate natural ingredients into their routine.

Suitable for all hair types: Whether you have curly, straight, or wavy hair, rosemary water is a versatile option for all hair types and can be used as often as you like.

Pleasant, herbal scent: The natural fragrance of rosemary makes your hair care routine feel even more refreshing!

Eco-friendly option: Rosemary water is a sustainable, natural recipe that’s kind to the environment—making it a great choice for anyone looking to incorporate more eco-friendly options into their routine.

Related Recipes

If you made this Homemade Rosemary Water For Hair tutorial or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

4.99 from 304 votes