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With just fresh rosemary sprigs and water, you can learn how to make rosemary water for hair in no time. It’s a simple, natural way to elevate your hair care routine, leaving your strands feeling refreshed and nourished. This DIY recipe has become a favorite of mine, and I’m sure you’ll love it too!

Glass spray bottle of rosemary water on a white table with fresh rosemary springs and a grey and white striped tea towel next to it.
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I have to tell you, I absolutely love using this rosemary water in my hair care routine every day. It’s so easy to make, and the results have totally transformed my hair!

When I first made this, probably five years ago now, I used two sprigs of rosemary out of my garden and a few cups of water from my tap. Thats it! And that is all I use still to this day!

And while I have only used it on and off these last few years, I can already tell it’s made a difference. Plus, it’s a great way to keep things budget-friendly while still getting the benefits of a fresh, natural ingredient.

In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to make rosemary water for your hair, share some tips on how to use it, and why it’s such a great addition to your daily routine.

Why you will love this recipe

  • This recipe is incredibly easy to whip up with just fresh rosemary sprigs and water.
  • The fresh, herbal scent of rosemary makes each use feel like a spa-like experience, adding a refreshing boost to your day.
  • Whether you have curly, straight, or wavy hair, rosemary water works for all hair types and can be used as often as you’d like.
  • It’s a budget-friendly option that lasts up to two weeks in the fridge, offering a cost-effective way to nourish your hair without spending a fortune on store-bought products.

What you need for this recipe

Ingredients for the rosemary water measured out on a white, wooden table.
  • Water: I do use tap water for this recipe since we’re on a well, and the water quality is great. However, if you have city water that’s not considered safe to drink, I recommend using distilled or purified water instead. (not that we are drinking this, but we want the water to be pure)
  • Rosemary: You will need fresh rosemary for this recipe. I use fresh rosemary from the garden when it’s in season, and I buy organic rosemary from the local grocery store in the winter.

How to make Rosemary Water for Hair

Filling a small sauce pan with water.

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.

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.

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 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!

4.44 from 299 votes

How to Make Rosemary Water

Prep: 10 minutes
Active: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 oz
Learn how to make rosemary water for your hair using two ingredients and a spray bottle!

Equipment

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Ingredients 

  • 2 rosemary sprigs, cut fresh
  • 3 cups water

Instructions 

  • Add water to your saucepan and bring it to a boil.
  • Add fresh rosemary sprigs and remove it from the heat. Cover and steep for at least an hour or until cool.
  • Carefully transfer the cooled rosemary water to your spray bottle using a funnel.
  • Lightly mist onto dry hair daily, or 2-3 times a week for normal hair. (see tips below)

Video

Notes

  • I have included detailed step-by-step images in the post above, as well as a video detailing the process right here in the How-To card!
  • Be sure to wait until the rosemary water has completely cooled before transferring to your spray bottle. 
  • 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. 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.
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!
This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, I’m so glad you’re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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4.44 from 299 votes (294 ratings without comment)

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71 Comments

  1. Amanda says:

    Hi!
    I use quality pure essential oils so I’m wondering if a few drops of the rosemary oil and water in a spritz bottle would give the same results?
    Thanks so much!

    1. Laura says:

      The only has different properties than the whole herb used to make the water. However, rosemary essential oil does have great qualities for the hair.

  2. Nicole says:

    Hi there,
    I was wondering if I understood this correctly: I can spray this every day or every couple days onto scalp (wet and/or dry hair) and I don’t need to wash it after I use it. Is this correct? This wasn’t really clear to me from reading the “how to use” section. Thank you in advance.

    1. Laura says:

      Correct!

  3. Percy Bhatporia says:

    Hi, I am 51 years male and facing natural hair loss and wanted to know more on using rosemary oil for regrowth of hair follicles, if that is going to make a difference

  4. Nahida. says:

    After boiling water and rosemary and making it cool, should I add any additional water later?
    Can I spray Rosemary water on my hair and roots after a shower when it’s dry? And can do this every day for a week and shampoo on the 4th or 7th days a week. If so, then can I continue this process for 6 months like this?

    1. Laura says:

      I do not add in any additional water. I talk about how to use it in the blog post under the “how to use” heading. You can find all the information there.

  5. Renee Munro says:

    Your comment is awaiting moderation.

    I have naturally curly hair and only need to wash it once a week- 10 days according to advice from my hair dresser.. My question is does the rosemary water need to penetrate into the scalp? When spraying do you target scalp area ?? How wet does hair need to be when spraying for maximum benefit as styling hair is a process and you can’t brush curly hair unless it’s about to be washed as it will make all the time and effort used in styling a daily thing for me . I don’t want to brush hair daily as it will ruin my curls.. Does hair have to be really wet with the rosemary water to work by this I mean wet enough to target scalp? How do I get around using daily without undoing my styling routine for curly hair? Thank you for any adt

    1. Laura says:

      You can just mist it into the hair. I do like to spray it from roots to tip, but you can use a less amount to keep your hair from getting wet.

  6. Brenda says:

    Hi, great information. However, due to microbial growth it isn’t recommended to store the water for more than a day at most 3 days. Although we can’t see it, microbial growth starts the moment rosemary water starts to cool. If you put preservatives in your mixture it will keep a lot longer and prevent bacteria from growing on your scalp. Just something to be aware of if people are spraying on their head and not washing out of your hair right away. I encourage everyone to do their own research on this subject but I wanted to spread awareness, I hope this helps! Thank you!

    1. Jo. Lee says:

      I makes batches and freeze

    2. Dee Lawson says:

      Rosemary is its own preservative. Many natural products use rosemary as the preservative instead of synthetic ones.

    3. Helen Bingley says:

      Wouldn’t keeping it in the fridge prevent this and if not what do you use for preservatives?

  7. Doreen Nance says:

    I’m so glad to have found your work! Ive really enjoy your perspective & spirit I recently made my 1rst rosemary water. I’m afraid I may have ruined it by leaving it & sprigs in a sealed jar on the counter since yesterday. It made me smile when I spotted it, there’s that. I have fresh rosemary growing & will follow your recipe next time. Do I need to dispose of the current batch? Regrets

    1. Laura says:

      Hi Doreen, I would like to think that it would be ok, but if you’re not sure, I would start over with a new batch!