Herb / Warm season
Thyme
Low, tough herb that wants poor soil and hot sun
Plant out byMay 18zone 6
- Family
- Mint (Lamiaceae)
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ h)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Days to harvest
- 85-95 days
- Spacing
- 12 in apart, rows 18 in
- Pot size
- 1 gal pot (great in pots)
- Frost
- Hardy
- Start
- Either
- Water
When to plant
Showing .
Averages for a typical garden in the region. Your local frost dates may differ by 2-3 weeks, check a local source.Wait until Feb 9
In zone 6, start seeds indoors Feb 9 to Feb 23; plant out Apr 6 to May 18. Average last frost Apr 20, first fall frost Oct 20.
Units
Thyme does better when you leave it alone. Rich soil and frequent watering make it soft and leggy, and wet roots lead to gray mold and root rot. Give it full sun, lean soil and sharp drainage, the kind of spot where other plants struggle, and it settles in. A gravel edge or the hot side of a raised bed works well.
Starting from seed takes patience. The seeds are tiny and take two to three weeks to sprout. The plants grow slowly after that, so it can be 85 to 95 days before you harvest much. Start them indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost and set the seedlings out once the frost has passed. Or buy one plant, which is what I did, and snip from it the same month.
Over the years the stems turn woody and the center can open up and look bare. Most growers find a plant needs dividing or replacing after 3 to 4 years, and regular light trims slow that down. Cut stems just before the plant flowers for the best flavor, and leave the tough base alone. In zones 5 to 9 it usually comes through winter in the ground. Colder areas need heavy mulch or a pot that comes inside. On our balcony it shares a planter with the rosemary, and neither one minds when I forget them for a week.
Things to consider
- Spacing varies a lot by variety. Upright kitchen thyme can sit 6 to 12 inches apart, while creeping types spread much wider and are often planted between stepping stones. Read the tag before you buy.
- Spider mites and aphids show up in hot, dry spells, especially on plants kept indoors over winter. Rinse the foliage in the sink or shower and check under the leaves every week or so.
- Bees love the tiny flowers. Trim some stems for the kitchen before bloom and let the rest flower, then shear the spent flowers off so the plant stays bushy.
Good neighbours
Pests to watch for
AphidsSpider mitesGray mold
Questions about growing thyme
How often should I water thyme?
Less than you think. Water when the soil is dry an inch or two down, and let pots drain fully. In a rainy summer, a plant in the ground may need no extra water at all. Yellow leaves and gray fuzz near the base usually mean it is getting too much. Move a soggy pot to a sunnier spot and skip a few waterings.
Can I dry thyme?
Yes, and it keeps its flavor well. Tie small bundles and hang them somewhere warm, dry and out of direct sun. Strip the leaves from the stems once they crumble. Store the leaves whole in a sealed jar and crush them as you cook. Fresh sprigs also freeze well in a bag for winter soups and stews.
Which thyme is best for cooking?
Common or English thyme is the standard kitchen type. Lemon thyme has a citrus smell that goes well with fish and chicken. Creeping thymes are mostly grown as ground cover, though the leaves are edible too. If you only grow one, pick common thyme, since it works in nearly any recipe that calls for thyme.
Save this crop
Pin it to a garden board so it is there when planting time comes round.
Similar crops
Sources
General guidance for home gardens. Frost dates are averages for a zone or region; check a local source (in the US your county extension office) for local timing.