Species thyme

thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Also Known As - garden thyme
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an aromatic Mediterranean herb in the mint family. Its grayish-green leaves are highly fragrant, releasing a heady scent of lemon and mint when crushed. It's popular in cooking, adding a delicate flavor to sauces, soups, vegetables, and meat dishes. Thyme grows best in sunny, dry conditions and prefers well-drained soil. It's a hardy, easy-to-grow annual, and is both drought tolerant and low maintenance. While most commonly grown in herb gardens, thyme is also attractive to pollinators, making it a great choice for landscapes.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Greenwood Cuttings,Greenwood Cuttings

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Pale purple Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Well-drained

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) generally thrives with 1-2” (2.5-5 cm) of water per week. Water the soil thoroughly to keep the soil slightly moist, avoiding both extremes of too much water or letting the soil dry out completely. During hot and dry conditions, it may be necessary to water more frequently. However, be careful not to water too often as this can lead to root rot. In general, it helps to wait until the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry before watering again.

sunlight

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) plants prefer bright sunlight to thrive and should receive at least 8-10 hours of direct sunlight during the peak growing season. However, this depends on the climate; in regions with intense, hot summer afternoons, it may be beneficial to provide some afternoon shade for the plant to avoid wilting and sunburn. Thyme grows best in full sun in temperate climates with relatively cool evenings. It is also important to note that it requires protection from cold winds, so it should be planted in a location sheltered from gusts.

pruning

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) should be pruned lightly throughout the growing season to keep the plants neat and tidy and promote the growth of new shoots. Pruning may be done in early summer, late summer and early autumn, after flowering. To prune thyme, remove any old flower heads, dead or damaged branches, weak stems and any unproductive woody growth. Then, trim the remaining stems back to the desired size, making sure not to cut too far into the woody area of the plant. If pruning is done too early in the season, you may lose some flowers.

Season

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

Thymus vulgaris typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Thymus vulgaris typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

Thymus vulgaris is typically harvested in July and August.

Hardiness Map