Slowly and thoroughly water over the seeds. Space thyme plants 12 to 24 inches apart in a very sunny area with fertile, well-drained soil with a pH close to 7.0. Place in a propagator to germinate. Thyme is also drought-resistant, so don't fret if you go an extra few days without giving it water. Thyme can be propagated from the division of mature plants. This will deliver the minimal nutrients thyme requires all year long, as well as protect the plants from frost once winter arrives. Thyme, part of the Lamiaceae family (mint), is a hardy perennial that prefers drier and sandier environments. In warmer areas (such as USDA zones 10 and higher), it is usually grown as an annual, since it does not survive well in the hot summer. Thyme plants have no special needs when it comes to temperature and humidity, and can thrive through most months of the year until there is frost (at which point they will go dormant for the winter). If you would like to grow thyme from seeds, follow these steps for growing thyme seeds: Normally, a thyme plant is grown from a division. Most varieties of thyme are best left alone to grow—the more you fuss with the plant, the less durable it will be. Thyme as a culinary herb. Go for the leaf and flower colour that appeals to you. The tiny pink, lavender, or white tubular flowers of thyme plants show up in the spring and summer months and are well-liked by bees. Your soil should have a pH between 6.0 (which is slightly acidic) and 8.0 (which is alkaline) to grow thyme. Low light will make your plant grow leggy stems that won’t look or taste right. Too much water will cause root rot. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. Check an almanac or online to see when the first frost usually occurs in your area. Cover the seeds with plastic sheets, and keep the container in a warm and light place. You can also grow it with other herbs but choose its companions wisely. Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is often called garden thyme because it’s the most readily available and has a fresh and tangy aroma for many uses in cooking. You can grow thyme directly in your garden, in pots, and even indoors! Key dates These varieties can grow 8-12 inches tall. Keeping the fertilizer at half-strength will keep the plant from producing too much foliage, which can dilute its fragrant oils. Thyme is a perennial Herb that will give you years and years of growth of this delicious and widely used herb. Thyme prefers a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. As thyme is very hardy and not fussy about soil, pH or water, simply add some organic matter … At this point you may want to start a new batch of seedlings, especially if you cultivate thyme for culinary purposes. In early spring fill small pots with seed sowing compost and scatter a few seeds lightly over the surface. Soil: Plant thyme in well-drained soil with an optimal pH between 6.0 and 8.0. Step by step easy to follow instructions showing you how to grow Thyme from seed. If you want to grow from seed, then do as we told: Sprinkle the seeds slowly on the soil in the container. In the garden, plant thyme near cabbage or tomatoes . Plant thyme at the right time Space thyme plants about one foot apart. For more tips, like how to harvest your thyme, scroll down! Their largest period of growth is throughout the summer months—this is also when you'll notice their flowers in bloom, which will attract bees and various other insects. Some varieties of thyme work well planted in gravel gardens, cracks in paving or as an alternative to a lawn. Give the plants a good watering when you see the soil around them has gone completely dry. Support wikiHow by However, the flavor of thyme won’t be negatively affected if you allow your plants to bloom. Thyme seeds are difficult to germinate and can take a long time to sprout. Scratch a teaspoon of cottonseed or bonemeal around the base of each plant at the start of the season. If you're planting in a pot instead, choose a larger vessel to allow the thyme to grow into it. Buy thyme plant seedlings from a nursery. To encourage new growth, prune back the upper stems each spring. Place them in a grow tray with quality soil. Additionally, water your plants, but only when the soil around them is completely dry to keep the roots from rotting. Different varieties of thyme have different growing habits—some send up flower stalks, others form mats, and others will cascade. Make sure you don't use a salt based ice melting product on paved areas planted with thyme… Tear or cut a smaller clump of thyme from the main plant, maki… Grow thyme in well-drained soil in full sun. Two types include French thyme and English thyme. In the spring or fall, find a mature thyme plant. This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Thyme grows quickly, so space your plants at least 1 foot apart from each other when adding to your garden. Thyme seeds are very small, 170,000 to the ounce. How to plant and grow thyme Thyme can be grown in pots or in full sun in a garden bed. Thyme doesn't grow very tall like other types of herbs, so it looks nice planted in the foreground of a garden or a container arrangement. Treat thyme plants each spring with a diluted all-purpose fertilizer. By using our site, you agree to our. All varieties of thyme are easy to grow, either out in your garden or in pots. Thyme is a hardy perennial and a Mediterranean herb that prefers drier and sandier environments. How far apart should I space thyme in the garden? You need to water the plants on a regular schedule, but not often. The plants should grow 6 to 12 inches in height. Grow Common Thyme if you live in a climate that gets long periods of heat or lack of rain. If you're growing a thyme plant indoors, stash it on a sunny windowsill or, even better, in a room that catches a lot of rays throughout the day, such as a sunroom. Thyme can be brought at ready-grown plants, but is also easy to grow from seed. Cover with a light layer of sieved compost and water gently. Start the seeds indoors prior to the final frost date. Space young plants 12 to 24 inches apart, depending upon the specific variety. Thyme itself has tens of varieties, but there are just two most common ways to grow it. [1] X Research source The most popular va… There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Thymus vulgaris, common thyme is a shrub-like perennial. One ounce needed to plant one acre. It blooms with tiny flowers that are usually white, pink or lavender, and their fragrance can attract bees to your garden. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Beyond this, there is a huge range of cultivars to choose from. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, United States Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones, Thyme, Common Thyme, Garden Thyme, English Thyme. Give your thyme a spot in full sun; it handles hot, dry conditions better than cool, damp soil. Thyme can be planted at almost any time. If you're planting in a pot instead, choose a larger vessel to allow the thyme to grow into it. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Step 1, Grow lemon thyme in hot and dry climates. Seeding best started indoors in a flat where temperature can be kept around 70°. Thyme needs water on a regular basis, but do not over-water the plants – this can cause root rot. Quick Guide to Growing Thyme. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I also like to grow lemon thyme, but it has a completely different flavour from common thyme, so should not be regarded as a substitute. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Here’s a complete guide on how to plant, grow, and harvest lemon thyme. The more you trim and prune your thyme, the more it will grow. Unlock staff-researched answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.burpee.com/gardenadvicecenter/herbs/thyme/thyme/article10024.html, http://www.thekitchn.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-growing-thyme-221268, http://herbgardening.com/growingthyme.htm, http://www.herbexpert.co.uk/growingthyme.html, https://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-thyme/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Lemon thyme is a specific variety that has a beautiful, lemony fragrance. Thyme is an ancient herb used in cooking and gardening. Did you know you can read answers researched by wikiHow Staff? Growing it from seed means you plant the seed and treat the seeds until it grows to be a bush of thyme that you can harvest. Creeping thyme, woolly thyme, lemon thyme, and hyssop thyme are just four of 300 varieties of thyme that exist. Once a day or so, remove the plastic bag and let the cutting enjoy some air circulation. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a low-growing, woody perennial that performs especially well in somewhat dry, sunny conditions. Its tiny gray-green leaves remain evergreen, and most thyme varieties can even be harvested in winter in the zones where it is a perennial. Thyme is a hardy, perennial, evergreen herb that is perfect for those winter stews and soups. Plant the cutting or transplant in average soil with a handful of course sand or fine gravel. Planting thyme in the middle of a garden bed, though, can help insulate the roots throughout the winter. A beloved Mediterranean herb, it holds its taste in cooking and blends well with other flavors of its native region, such as garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes. This Southern California Master Gardener provides ‘thymely’ how-to posts and photos, links to informational garden websites, and updates on garden events to help you get growing! It produces attractive, aromatic foliage and can thrive in almost any climate. You can also store your dried thyme in the freezer or preserved in oil or vinegar. % of people told us that this article helped them. Plant them in a sunny, exposed spot in your garden, or in decorative planters that can be moved around throughout the day to chase the light. This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Thyme will grow happily in many climates, and especially likes to be covered with a blanket of snow in the winter. It does well in both pots and on the ground. More varieties are available as plants than from seed; some are frost hardy and evergreen, others more tender. Thyme plants thrive best in full sunlight, likely due to their Mediterranean origins. Before planting in-ground, improve your existing soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Thyme is a widely adaptable herb, able to be grown in the United States Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 5 through 9. Use a spade to gently lift the clump of thyme up from the ground. Sun: Thyme needs a growing area with plenty of sunlight. If you want something a little different from common thyme (T. vulgaris), here are a few varieties often planted: Once established, thyme plants can be harvested at any time, as the leaves' flavor is retained even after flowering. Thyme is best grown from plants rather than from seeds. Most gardeners suggest buying young thyme seedlings, which you can obtain at any nursery, or take cuttings from someone else’s thyme. Thyme enjoys full sun best, but it will be happy with a minimum of six hours of dayli… Thyme is rather difficult to propagate from seeds, so the more common method is to take stem cuttings and root them. unlocking this staff-researched answer. After six weeks or so, the cutting will develop a root system sufficient enough to allow it to be transplanted into a larger container or into the garden. The thyme plant can be grown from seed, but frequently people choose to avoid growing thyme seeds. So, keeping the plant at a location where it receives bright, direct light is going to be beneficial! Indoors, find a sunny window for your thyme. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. This will help it continue to flourish. Thymus vulgaris or common thyme is the default variety. After this date, it may be safe to cut back the thyme. Use an almanac to check when the last frost usually occurs. Remove all but two or three sets of leaves. Clip off a stem that is about 6 inches in length—preferably one that is well established but not too woody. Companion planting is a gardening strategy of placing different crops together to increase growth and quality. As rosemary and thyme, both have … Easy to grow from seed though germination is slow taking from 14 to 28 days. Stop cutting thyme about two weeks before this date. 5 Tips for How to Grow Thyme 1. After that, keep the area around your plants weeded, or spread mulch to control the weeds. You should wait until the soil is completely dry, then water to saturation, then allow it to dry out again. In early spring, you may fertilize with organic matter, like compost, but not much soil amendment is necessary. Find a friend in your area with a healthy thyme plant and take a rooted cutting. How to grow thyme at home. The easy-going herb prefers sandy or loamy soil instead of moist soil, and can even thrive in rocky gravel. Lemon thyme thrives in climates that are warm and don't have frequent heavy rainfall. Thyme is easy to divide. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 72,744 times. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Outside of the kitchen, growing thyme as a landscaping plant in rock gardens and alongside patios is hugely popular, thanks to its tolerance for dry, hot conditions. Thyme grows quickly, so space your plants at least 1 foot apart from each other when adding to your garden. Keep reading to learn how to grow thyme in your garden and reap the rewards of this flavorful herb! More on growing thyme: Opting for a clay pot is also helpful, as it can wick away additional moisture from the soil and help create the right environment for your thyme. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Cover the container with a loosely secured plastic bag to hold in humidity. Then, plant the seeds or cuttings 8-12 inches apart in well-draining soil, in a spot that gets full sunlight all day long. Thyme grows best in a warm area that receives at least 6 hours of full sun each day. The worse your soil is, the better your thyme plant may actually grow. Thyme has no serious problems, but it can develop root rot if planted into soil that holds too much moisture. Thyme is a hardy, drought-resistant herb. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You can either plant thyme from seed or cuttings. Plant each division in its own pot, allowing it to rest a week before watering. When growing outdoors your plants will need up to 10 hours of direct sun during the day. When trimming off sprigs, always try to leave behind at least five inches of growth on the plant. Like most herbs, thyme needs bright light to flourish. References. The stems should have plenty of new green growth, but the lower part of the stem can be more mature. Easy to grow, and a great addition to any dish, thyme is a favorite or gardeners! Last Updated: June 10, 2019 To properly nurture your thyme plant, water it only occasionally—every other week or even once a month should suffice, depending on your outdoor climate. Varieties of Thyme. The aroma, taste, and benefits of this plant justify its global popularity. Thyme is often used as a ground cover and is able to grow in the cracks between pavers and rocks—you can even buy seed in bulk to create a thyme lawn. Keep in mind that thyme has a few windows of opportunity for planting and transplanting - the ideal time is in June or earlier, when the ground is warm but there's some rain in the forecast, with dull days. Aside from culinary purposes, many gardeners use this herb as a ground cover or border plant. To grow thyme, start in the spring by purchasing young seedlings from your local nursery, or by taking cuttings from someone else’s thyme to start your own. Thyme thrives in dry, well draining, and gritty soil. Thyme is also considered to have antiseptic and preservative properties and has long been used medicinally, as well as to preserve meats. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Grow-Thyme-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Thyme-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Grow-Thyme-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1316436-v4-728px-Grow-Thyme-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"