Thyme Growing Guide

Thymus vulgaris

Thyme

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous 

Soil

Any average, well drained soil enriched with compost.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Winter hardy. Becomes dormant from autumn to spring.

Feeding

Drench plants with a water soluble organic plant food one month after setting them out.

Spacing

Single Plants: 30cm (11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 30cm (11") with 40cm (1' 3") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Start with purchased plants, or start seeds indoors in late winter to early spring. Thyme can be grown from seed, but some creeping forms are propagated only from rooted cuttings or divisions.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Creeping forms make sturdy ground covers. Bees are attracted to pink thyme flowers.

Harvesting

Gather sprigs as needed in the kitchen. Gather stems for drying in summer, before the plants bloom.

Troubleshooting

Plants are often short-lived, so root a few stem cuttings each spring to always have vigorous young plants.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Thyme