How to Grow and Care for Common Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

If you could put summer in a bottle and save it, it would probably smell a lot like thyme.

The perennial culinary herb has always been associated with the scents and flavor notes of the season for me because of how prolific it is in my gardens at this time of year.

Thyme is a name given to many herbs in the Thymus genus, which is made up of over 350 species, but the most common one used for culinary and ornamental purposes is T. vulgaris, which we’ll focus on here.

The three most popular varieties of T. vulgaris are English, French, and German thyme.

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All are low-growing, woody shrubs, with small roundish leaves and purple flowers. Part of the mint (Lamiaceae) family, thyme is known for its many culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses.

Read on to learn about growing this versatile, easygoing herb and its long and storied past.

Thyme has been utilized by humans for over two millennia, and its existence as a species predates homo sapiens, with evidence discovered in fossil remains that are over five million years old.

One of the earliest known uses of this herb was in ancient Egypt, where it was used for embalming the dead and was thought to assist them on their way as they passed on to the next life.

Ancient Romans believed it to be a useful antidote to poison. Emperors would often include this herb in their meals and even scented their baths with it.

And prior to the advent of modern medicine, due to its natural antiseptic properties, thyme oil was used to medicate bandages.

What was little understood then can be confirmed by science today, with the active ingredient thymol showing distinct antibacterial activity in studies.

T. vulgaris has also been hybridized with other species in the genus to create new varieties including my own personal favorite, lemon thyme (T. citriodorus).

How to Sow

Thyme grows well from seed, which you can purchase or harvest yourself.

Harvest seeds from plants in the fall once flowers have dried up and seed heads have turned brown.

It’s best to germinate seeds indoors in a controlled space at around 70°F, in indirect light.

To start from seed:

1. Prepare trays with moistened seed starting mix.
2. Surface sow or just barely cover seeds, planting at least five times more seeds than the total number of plants you wish to grow, as germination can be erratic.
3. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, watering the seeds with a spray bottle or the misting attachment on a hose to ensure that the seeds are not flooded with the deluge from a watering can.
4. It takes around 14-28 days for seeds to germinate.
5. Once the seedlings are about four inches tall, with around four true leaves, they are ready for transplanting into their permanent container or garden location.

How to Grow

Thyme is drought resistant and thrives on neglect.

Originating from the Mediterranean, it typically grows on dry, sandy, and/or rocky well-draining soil in the wild, in full sun.

As with all plants, the closer you can come to recreating the conditions of its natural habitat, the better it will do.

This plant is known to grow quickly, especially the creeping cultivars. Ensure that plants are spaced at around 12 to 24 inches apart, depending on the specific variety.

Light

Thyme loves the sun. Give it a spot that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. This herb won’t thrive in shade, so don’t tuck it under a taller plant or tree.

Full sun encourages dense, compact growth and enhances the production of those potent essential oils that give thyme its signature aroma and taste.

This plant also does well indoors as long as it receives at least six hours of direct light per day, with eight hours being ideal. Supplemental grow lights can ensure it receives enough light to stay healthy and flavorful.

Soil

Thyme prefers a neutral pH but will tolerate soil that’s between 6.5 and 8.5 on the pH scale.

Temperature and Humidity

Thyme prefers temperatures between 65 and 85°F (18-30°C) and can survive dry heat with ease. Just avoid planting in areas with extremely high humidity or heavy rainfall, which can lead to fungal issues.

It should be protected with a heavy mulch in colder climates in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-6 to survive the winter outdoors.

Although many sources list T. vulgaris as growing only in Zones 5 and up as a perennial, other sources confirm my own experience that certain varieties can grow outdoors year-round in Zone 4, or even Zone 3.

However, it is even more important in colder zones to plant plants in sandy, well-draining soil as thyme hates being embedded in ice when the ground freezes – something I learned the hard way when I lost all my plants in a silty part of my garden one winter.

Water

This is not a thirsty herb. Thyme thrives on neglect when it comes to watering. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Too much moisture can cause root rot, especially in heavy or poorly draining soils.

Established plants only need supplemental water during prolonged dry spells. In containers, water when the top inch of soil feels dry—but don’t let the plant sit in soggy soil.

Fertilizer

This plant needs little if any fertilization. In fact, fertilizing with too much nitrogen may cause faster growth at the expense of flavor.

If your soil is completely devoid of nutrients, however, fertilizing with a relatively weak fertilizer with low nitrogen at the beginning of the growing season will boost growth.

Neptune’s Harvest Fish Fertilizer

Neptune’s Harvest fish emulsion, available from Arbico Organics, would work nicely.

As always, make sure not to overfertilize and consider testing your soil before indiscriminately fertilizing your plants..

Container Growing

Thyme thrives in containers, making it perfect for patios or sunny windowsills. Choose a pot with good drainage—unglazed terracotta is ideal—and fill it with a gritty, well-draining mix like cactus soil or a blend of potting soil and sand.

Place it in full sun for at least six hours a day. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and avoid overwatering. Trim regularly to promote bushy growth and prevent the plant from becoming woody.

When cultivating in a container, a low strength fertilizer such as AgroThrive™ General Purpose Fertilizer, available from Arbico Organics can be applied once per month.

AgroThrive™ General Purpose Fertilizer

Repot annually in fresh soil, and move to a larger container if roots start circling the base.

Companion Planting

Don’t plant anything with thyme that like wet feet.

Cultivars to Select

T. vulgaris is often found in one of several varieties, with the most common being English, French, and German types, but there are a few other varieties as well.

English/Common

As its name suggests, English or common thyme is the most common variety of this species in cultivation, and it is often sold dried for culinary use.

If not otherwise indicated, recipes generally call for English thyme. It is best used for seasoning meats and stews and is known to have a stronger flavor than the German or French varieties.

Like most other T. vulgaris varieties, the English type has small light purple flowers, though it has slightly pointier leaves than the other varieties, and a reddish stem.

Common Thyme

It grows five to 18 inches in height with a spread of up to 16 inches and is suitable for Zones 4-8, though some sources list it as growing best in Zones 5-11.

Potted plants in sets of three, or packets of 1800 seeds are available from Burpee.

French/Summer

Often used in French and French-influenced cooking, this is the type used in herbes de Provence blends.

With a subtler flavor profile than its English counterpart, French thyme is more suited to cuisine requiring more delicate flavors such as seafood and quiches.

It’s known to have a more pronounced sweetness and slightly less mint and clove notes than the others.

French Thyme

French thyme grows eight to 12 inches tall and wide, is less cold hardy than German and English types, and is suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 5-11.

Seeds are available at True Leaf Market.

German/Winter

German thyme is very similar to the English variety, though it’s slightly more cold hardy, has more rounded leaves, and lacks the red stem of English and French types.

Its flavor is less intense than that of the English type, though not as subtle as the French.

German Thyme

Also called winter thyme, this variety grows 12 to 18 inches high and wide, and is at safe at USDA Zones 4-9, though some folks grow down to Zone 3.

Seeds are available from True Leaf Market.

Maintenance

Pruning thyme encourages new growth and branching, which gives you a fuller plant. Generally, the more you trim your plant, the faster it will grow.

Pests and Disease

Thyme does not tend to be bothered by insects much, though the most likely pests are spider mites and aphids.

Diseases are also rare if planted in well-draining soil, but fungal diseases can be a problem occasionally.

Insects

I have never seen insects of any kind bothering my thyme plants, but others have reported the possibility of aphids and spider mites becoming a problem.

Aphids

These small white, brown, or black bugs tend to gather on the underside of leaves or on the tips of stems.

They weaken plants by sucking out their juices and can spread disease through their saliva.

A scrub down with one part rubbing alcohol and one part water using a cloth, followed by an insecticidal soap or neem oil spray is effective and should be done weekly until they are gone.

Read more about fighting aphids in your garden here.

Spider Mites

Spider mites, as their name implies, are small spider-like mites.

Disease

Thyme is most commonly affected by fungal diseases, including botrytis rot (Botrytis cinerea), root rot (Rhizoctonia solani), and Alternaria blight (Alternaria brassicicola).

Warm, damp conditions often encourage the growth of these fungi.

Treatment options for these fungal diseases are similar, and include the following:

• Remove infected areas using sharp, clean scissors, pruning shears, or a knife.
• Bottom water plants via trays placed under your pots, or at the base of the plant without getting any water on leaves.
• Prune and/or stake your plants into an upright position to improve air circulation.
• Mulch underneath the plants, to prevent fungal spores in the soil from splashing onto the leaves.
• Provide supplementary irrigation infrequently, if at all, and only in the early morning if needed, to allow soil time to dry during the day.
• If your soil is not well-draining, consider transferring your plants to a different location with more suitable soil, preparing it ahead of time if needed by amending with sand and/or perlite.

Be sure to disinfect your equipment before pruning and between plants.

Mycostop Biofungicide

For more serious cases, you may want to consider using a biofungicide such as Mycostop’s K61 Streptomyces based fungicide available from Arbico Organics.

Harvesting

You can snip off sprigs of thyme as needed. However, a mass harvest can be done yearly during the summer. Pick right before the flowers begin to bloom for the best flavor.

The best time of day to harvest is early in the morning, after the dew has dried. This is the time when the aromatic and flavorful essential oils are the most concentrated.

Preserving

Our sister site, Foodal, has a helpful guide to making tasty herbed oils.

Cooking Ideas

Not only is thyme delicious, but it’s also packed with an impressive list of vitamins and minerals.

It’s rich in vitamins C and A. It also contains fiber, iron, manganese, copper, calcium, and riboflavin.

Thyme is a culinary mainstay around the globe. Used in both fresh and dried form, this herb can withstand long cooking times and high temperatures and maintain its flavor.

Learn more on our sister site, Foodal.

It’s used as part of bouquet garni in French Provençal cooking, dry rubs for English roasts, in Arabic stews, and even in desserts.

Landscape Uses

While thyme is best known for its culinary uses, it’s also a beautiful plant that fits beautifully in a fragrant ornamental garden.

In landscaping, thyme serves as a fast-growing ground cover or a border plant for the front of your beds.

As mentioned above, they also make great companion plants, deterring pests and attracting bees that help pollinate neighboring plants and ladybugs that eat pests like aphids.

Medicinal Uses

Traditional medicinal uses of thyme include the treatment of depression, epilepsy, nightmares, headaches, and coughs – and many of these uses now have scientific backing.

Some research has shown that certain active ingredients in thyme such as thymol and carvacrol have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties.

Well, It’s About Thyme

If you don’t already have thyme in your garden, it might be time to consider your options.

Whether you go for the classic English thyme with its more potent flavor, the more subtle flavored French type, the hardy German variety, or other hybrids, this herb has a lot to offer in your garden and your kitchen.

If you already grow it, I’d love to hear about your good (or challenging) times with thyme. Leave your photos, comments, or questions below!

And for more information about growing herbs in your garden, check out these guides next: