Species wild thyme
pink-purple flowers with green leaves and purple stems

wild thyme

Thymus (Coccineus Group)

Wild thyme (Thymus (Coccineus Group)) is a small, evergreen shrub with an upright mound of stems and very fragrant foliage. It bears bright pinkish-purple flowers from late spring through to early summer. The leaves of this plant are widely used as a culinary herb, enhancing the flavor of soups, salads, meats, and many other dishes. Wild thyme also has a long history of medicinal applications, with an extract of the leaves being used to treat various ailments such as sleeplessness, chest and gastrointestinal problems. It is an essential ingredient in many stews, roasts, and savory sauces.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Deep pink Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part sun/part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

red,purple

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Wild thyme should be watered regularly, soaking the soil and allowing it to dry somewhat between waterings. It prefers to be moist, but not overly wet. Water it once a week, or more frequently during extreme heat, making sure that it is not sitting in a pool of water. For optimal growth, water the soil until it is evenly moist, taking care to not overwater the plant.

sunlight

Wild thyme prefers full sunlight for 6-8 hours per day, preferably during the morning and late afternoon. Although it can tolerate some shade and prefers it during the hottest part of the day, a location with ample sunlight is essential for this plant species’ optimal growth and health.

pruning

Wild thyme typically requires only light pruning. The best time to prune is in the spring or early summer after the blooming period has ended. It is important not to prune too much or too severely as it can cause the plant to become weak or even die. It is best to cut off only the dead, dying, or out of shape branches, as well as any that are crowding the center of the plant. Whenever possible, prune the plant with sharp, clean pruning shears. This will ensure the cleanest cut and reduce the risk of any damage to the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Wild thyme typically starts flowering in April or May.

Hardiness Map