Herb · Perennial herb
Thyme
Thymus vulgarisA low, woody herb built for hot, dry banks and gritty soil, thyme rewards a hard life with its most intense flavor. It slowly forms a mat that smothers weeds around it. The one rule: resist the urge to water or feed it generously.
Sow depth
⅛ in
Spacing
10 in apart
Sun
Full sun
Germination
14–21 days
Time to harvest
80–90 days
Difficulty
Moderate
When to sow thyme
- Sow from about 10 weeks before your last expected frost until about 2 weeks after your last expected frost.
Start indoors in warmth — seed needs steady heat and light to germinate.Surface-sow and press in lightly; seeds need light to sprout well.Transplant out once seedlings are sturdy and frost risk has passed.
Keep it lean — poor, free-draining soil produces the most aromatic leaves.Trim after flowering to stop plants sprawling and turning woody.Replace clumps every few years once the center dies out and thins.
Snip sprigs regularly — frequent picking keeps the mat dense and tidy.Cut just above woody growth to encourage fresh, tender stems.Harvest before flowering for the strongest concentration of oils.
Companion plants
Thyme’s scent is thought to confuse cabbage worms and whitefly hunting host plants nearby.
Watch out for
Root rot — Damp, heavy soil rots the roots faster than any pest damages the foliage. Grow in raised or gritty, sharply draining ground.