Species thyme

thyme

Thymus praecox

Thyme (Thymus praecox) is a small flowering plant species commonly used in cooking. It has small green leaves and white, pink, or purple flowers. Perfect for container gardening, the fine-textured foliage of thyme grows in a dense, mounding shape and can reach up to 4 or 6 inches tall. When touched, its leaves emit a fragrant, herbal scent and can be used to flavour dishes. Its essential oil is also used for therapeutic purposes. It prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, making it an easy plant to care for and an attractive addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Purplish/white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Thyme (Thymus praecox) should be watered about once a week. It is best to water it thoroughly, soaking the soil in order to make sure the roots have access to plenty of moisture. It is important to allow the top inch of soil to dry out in between watering. In especially hot and dry areas, it may be necessary to water it more often. During times of extreme heat, it may also be beneficial to give the thyme an extra drink.

sunlight

Thyme (Thymus praecox) requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day, with a high-intensity sunlight being beneficial. Partial shade for part of the day is also recommended for thyme. If grown outdoors, thyme should be placed in an area which receives direct, full-sunlight for the majority of the day. When grown indoors, thyme should be placed in a spot which receives direct sunlight for 4-6 hours every day. Additionally, thyme should not be exposed to direct, midday sun as it can cause damage to its foliage.

pruning

Thyme should be pruned back once a year in late winter or early spring. When pruning, clip off the entire tips of the stems, cutting about 1 third of the length off the stem. This helps to encourage new growth in the spring from the dormant buds that are located on the healthiest branches. Remove any dead or damaged branches as you come across them. In the late summer, you can do a light trim to remove any straggly branches and to help shape the thyme bush to your desired size.

Season

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

Thymus praecox typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in April or May.

Hardiness Map