Thyme

Introduce scenery from the Greek Isles to your garden with lush plantings of thyme. This sun-loving, drought-tolerant herb carpets hillsides in Greece, thriving in well-drained soil. Drought conditions concentrate the aromatic oils in thyme, so the drier your growing conditions, the better. In your garden, tucking plants into raised beds or mulching them with gravel will give thyme the conditions that cause it to thrive and be flavorful.

The flowers beckon honeybees, so add thyme near vegetable gardens to assure an ample supply of pollinators. Shear plants back after bloom, cutting off about a third of stems. With dainty proportions, thyme suits containers or the tight growing quarters between stepping stones.

Thyme introduces a savory flavor to dishes, such as roasted vegetables, soups, and sauces. It is also a key ingredient in bouquet garni, fines herbes, and herbes de Provence. Use thyme to enhance poultry, beef, pork, or seafood. This herb also adds a kick to cheese and egg creations. Thyme's oils take time to be infused into dishes; add thyme early in the cooking process to release the greatest flavor.

Light:

Sun

Zones:

4-9

Plant Type:

Perennial,Herb

Plant Height:

3-12 inches tall

Plant Width:

18 inches wide

Flower Color:

Blooms are bluish-purple to pink

Bloom Time:

Plants flower in spring

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders,Slopes,Groundcover

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Fragrant,Dried Flowers,Attracts Butterflies,Drought Tolerant,Deer Resistant

Top Varieties

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English thyme

Thymus vulgaris is the classic culinary thyme and it sounds a savory note in dishes. Zone 5-9
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Gold lemon thyme

Thymus x citriodorus 'Aureus' serves up a bold citrus flavor in its gilt-edged leaves. Use these lemony leaves to recipes calling for lemon juice, lemon zest, or lemon flavoring. Zones 4-8
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Lemon thyme

Thymus x citriodorus produces rich, dark green leaves that have an intoxicating lemon fragrance. Like its variegated cousin, lemon thyme looks as good in the herb garden as it does in the ornamental border. A good container plant, lemon thyme can grow 15 inches tall and wide. Zones 5-9
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Red creeping thyme

Thymus serpyllum carpets the ground with red blossoms in spring. This ground cover is a natural addition to an alpine or rock garden, or tucked between stepping stones along a garden path. Zones 4-9
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Silver thyme

Thymus argenteus offers white-edged leaves, creating a lacy appearance. Use silver thyme interchangeably with thyme in recipes. Zones 4-10
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'Spicy Orange' thyme

Thymus 'Spicy Orange' is a low-growing selection that's tough enough to withstand foot traffic. The needlelike foliage is aromatic with a light orange scent and flavor. It has pink flowers in summer and grows 12 inches tall and wide. Zones 5-9
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Variegated lemon thyme

Thymus x citriodorus 'Variegata' is a beautiful edible ornamental. The lemon-scented foliage is versatile in the kitchen and the plant itself makes a striking ground cover for sunny spots. When mature, the plants can grow 16 inches tall and wide. Zones 5-9
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Woolly thyme

Thymus pseudolanuginosus is a fast-spreading groundcover that thyme quickly blankets an area with fuzzy leaves that stand up to moderate foot traffic. Choose this thyme for a footpath, lawn replacement, or textural standout in a rock garden. Zones 4-8
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Garden Plans

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An Eye-Catching Kitchen Garden Plan
Inspired by Italy Vegetable Garden Plan
Formal Knot-Garden Plan
Drought-Tolerant Garden Plan
Foundation Garden
Beautiful Bird Garden Plan
Drought-Tolerant Slope Garden Plan
Small-Space Water Garden Plan
Planting Plans Inspired by the White House Kitchen Garden
Deer-Resistant Garden Plan

Harvest Tips

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Gather fresh thyme leaves as needed throughout the growing season. To dry thyme, cut stems after plants have flowered, waiting until new growth produces stems 3-4 inches long. Snip stems early in the day, after dew has dried, gathering stems into small bundles. Hang stems upside down in a dark, well-ventilated place. Check leaves for dryness; fully dry leaves crumble when pressed between fingers. Strip dried leaves from stems, and store in airtight jars.

Propagation

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Division
Stem Cuttings