Thyme
Thymus vulgaris. Thyme belongs to the Lamiaceae family, commonly known as the mint family, which also includes aromatic herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, and sage. Renowned for its aromatic foliage composed of tiny, pointed leaves, thyme lends its unique flavor to countless culinary creations. Varieties of thyme include English thyme, lemon thyme, French thyme, and creeping thyme. Typically, thyme thrives in compact, bushy forms, though certain cultivars spread as creeping groundcovers.
Starting Seeds
Thyme seeds exhibit optimal germination when sown in warm soil conditions, ideally ranging between 60°F (15°C) and 75°F (24°C). However, the prime temperature for germination usually hovers around 70°F to 75°F (21°C to 24°C).
Direct sowing is possible if you live in a warm climate. Otherwise start seeds indoors 10-12+ weeks prior to your last frost date. Thyme can be slow to germinate and slow to grow as a young plant.
When to Plant Out
Parsley should be transplanted outdoors after the last expected frost date once the weather has warmed, and the soil temperatures consistently reach at least 50°F (10°C) or warmer.
Light
Full sunlight: at least 6-8 hours a day.
Space
Space plants 8-12″ apart. Be sure to check the seed packet for specifics on your variety’s size.
Temperature
Thyme thrives in warm temperatures, with ideal daytime temperatures ranging between 70°F and 90°F (21°C to 32°C). Certain varieties of thyme are hardy to Zone 5, surviving down to -20 to -10°F (-29 to -23°C) for established plants, but protection from snow may be necessary. Check your variety for specifics on hardiness.
Water
As a Mediterranean herb, it’s accustomed to drier conditions, so overwatering can lead to root rot and other issues. Watering thyme deeply but infrequently is usually sufficient. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions to prevent waterlogged conditions.
Pruning
Regular pruning throughout the growing season stimulates the plant to produce more leaves and slows woody growth. If your thyme plant bolts (starts to produce flowers), pinch off the flower buds as soon as you see them, so the plant’s energy is focused back into leaf production. Never cut back more than 1/3 of the plant at a time. Do not cut woody branches unless diseased or damaged as new growth will not occur on woody sections. If thyme is hardy in your area, refrain from pruning/harvesting 6-8 weeks before the first frost and throughout Winter and Spring before your last frost date, so the new growth will not be damaged by frost.
Harvesting
To ensure the best flavor and continuous production of thyme, harvest green sprigs while they are still tender.
Propagation
Thyme is commonly propagated from seeds or through cuttings. Although seeds are readily available, we’d recommend you propagate thyme through cuttings as seeds are slow to germinate and young plants can take up to a year to become established.
Other Considerations
Thyme is suitable for container growing. If grown in ground in colder climates, thyme can be saved by either potting up the plant or growing a new plant from cuttings and keeping it in a warm environment for the winter. Thyme can do well in a windowsill for easy access in the kitchen.