Thyme: growing, planting, pruning

Description, origin and botany

Thyme is a native plant of Western and Southern Europe, particularly prevalent in the Mediterranean basin as well as in East Asia, including Japan. It is a very resilient plant that thrives in difficult conditions. In the garrigue, it grows in full sun on rocky, dry, and poor soils. The praecox species, which is better adapted to cold, grows spontaneously in Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, and southern England, as well as at altitude in the Alps. Today, the genus Thymus includes over 300 species and varieties.

The genus name Thymus comes from the Greek Thumon, meaning perfume, which refers to the scent exhaled by this highly aromatic plant. Its common name, Thyme, derives from the Greek name and it is also called barigoule or farigoule in the south of France. The wild thyme refers to another species of thyme (Thymus serpyllum) characterised by its creeping habit. It forms very fragrant grassy mats.

Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a perennial undershrub that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Small in stature, it measures 20 to 40 cm high and forms tufts composed of numerous small ramified stems, herbaceous in the year of growth, woody and twisted for those older than one year. They bear small evergreen leaves, grey-green to silver-green in colour, which are highly aromatic when crushed.

Flowering begins as early as March in its natural habitat – the garrigue – and later in gardens (late spring, early summer). The flowers appear at the ends of the stems, in the axils of the leaves, in the form of cymes of small flowers about half a centimetre long, ranging in colour from white to pink-mauve. The flowers develop into tiny brown seeds, which retain their seed viability for three years. It is common for them to self-seed spontaneously in the vegetable garden.

With good hardiness, thyme can withstand temperatures down to -15°C if the soil is sufficiently drained. This resistance is diminished if the soil is heavy and wet!

Thyme’s flowering is particularly melliferous and attracts many pollinating insects. Beekeepers also harvest thyme honey, which has a rather strong flavour. You may spot this endangered blue butterfly species, which is closely linked to thyme as it lays its eggs on the flower buds of thyme, known as the Thyme blue (Phengaris arion)!

Herbaceous stems of common thyme – Flowering thyme – The Thyme blue butterfly

Species and varieties of thyme

Common Thyme Varieties

Other Thyme Species

Thymus vulgaris Organic - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds

Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is the most common species used in cooking and medicinal applications. Recognisable by its dark green to grey leaves and twisted stems.

• Height at maturity 25 cm

See the product sheet

Thymus vulgaris Winter Thyme - Vilmorin seeds

Winter thyme is a hardier variety of common thyme. It withstands even the harshest winters perfectly. Its foliage is also greener than that of common thyme.

• Height at maturity 30 cm

See the product sheet

Thymus vulgaris Provence

Provence Thyme is a variety of common thyme with slightly greyish leaves. It has good cold resistance.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 25 cm

See the product sheet

Thymus citriodorus - Lemon Thyme Organic

Lemon Thyme (Thymus x citriodorus) is a hybrid thyme with leaves that have a lemony fragrance. Less hardy than common thyme, it needs to be protected from the cold in winter.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 25 cm

See the product sheet

Corsican Thyme - Thymus herba-barona

Corsican Thyme (Thymus herba barona) is a creeping variety of thyme with dark green leaves that have a scent reminiscent of cumin. It is a species that grows and thrives naturally in Corsica.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the product sheet

Thymus vulgaris Fragrantissimus - Orange Thyme in plants

Orange Thyme, also known as fragrantissimum Thyme, is a variety with leaves and flowers that exude a fragrance with citrus notes. Its flowering is remarkable.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 25 cm

See the product sheet

Thymus serpyllum - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds

Wild Thyme (Thymus serphyllum), also known as creeping thyme, is a species with a creeping habit that does not exceed 10 cm in height, often cultivated as ground cover. Its leaves have a lemony scent.

• Flowering time July to October
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the product sheet

Sowing thyme

Sowing thyme is delicate as the seeds are very small. To ensure success, it is preferable to sow in buckets or trays rather than directly in the ground. Sowing can be done in April May. Additionally, note that sowing thyme requires patience: the first harvest will not begin until the second year.

Sowing in buckets or trays

To sow thyme seeds:

1. Fill buckets with special sowing compost.
2. Sow the seeds in clusters, with 4 to 5 seeds per cluster.
3. Cover with a layer of compost equal to the thickness of the seeds, which means very lightly for thyme!
4. Water gently using a water spray and keep the surface moist until germination.
5. To encourage germination, cover the buckets with a glass or a plastic bag but remember to ventilate during the day once the seedlings have appeared.
6. In autumn or the following spring, depending on the development of the plants, transplant your thyme plants into the ground. Allow 30 cm in all directions between the plants.

Planting thyme, in the garden or in a pot

Thyme prefers light, even stony, well-drained soils. If your soil is rather damp and clayey, we recommend growing it in a pot where it will thrive. Planting takes place in spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October).

Planting in the ground

Choose a very sunny location; planting should be done in loosened and weeded soil. Space the plants 30 cm apart in all directions.

To plant thyme in the garden:

1. Dig a hole that matches the size of the young plant, and enrich it very lightly with mature compost (thyme thrives even in poor soil).
2. Place one young plant in each planting hole.
3. Cover with soil and gently firm down.
4. Water for the first time. Rainwater warmed in the sun is always preferable.

To prevent the appearance of “weeds”, you can mulch around your thyme. However, remember its Mediterranean origins and provide it with a mineral-based mulch instead.

Planting in a pot

To plant thyme in a pot or container:

1. Place a layer of gravel or clay balls at the bottom of the container to aid drainage.
2. Fill it with an equal mix of potting soil and garden soil, or pure potting soil… if you don’t have a garden!
3. Place the root ball, cover with the soil/compost mix, and firm down well.
4. Water lightly.
5. Place your pot in the sun.

Thyme grows very well in a pot[/caption>

Discover our advice sheet to successfully grow thyme in a pot.

Pruning thyme and watering

Thyme is an aromatic plant that requires very little maintenance, consisting mainly of pruning and watering, but only in cases of severe and prolonged drought.

Pruning Thyme

Thyme naturally tends to open up and reveal a bare centre, which is not always aesthetically pleasing, especially for pot cultivation. An annual pruning in spring helps maintain a nice rounded and stocky habit. To do this, remove excessively outlying branches and trim back last year’s shoots. Cut back half of the shoot (the herbaceous part) with shears to encourage a dense regrowth.

→ Learn more in our tutorial: Pruning Thyme.

Watering Thyme

Water very moderately (if at all), mainly in summer, as thyme does not appreciate excess moisture. For pot cultivation, water regularly without allowing water to stagnate in the saucer.

Harvest and storage

Thyme can be harvested throughout the year as its leaves are evergreen. It is best to pick it in the morning. Thyme is more fragrant and richer in active ingredients at the beginning of flowering. When you prune it, maintain its beautiful compact shape, and take the opportunity to stock up for the winter months! Ideally, harvest two-thirds of the herbaceous part to encourage regrowth.

Thyme is traditionally preserved by drying. After washing and drying the stems, hang the bunches upside down in a dry, airy, and dark place. Once the thyme is dry, store it away from light. This is a simple and quick operation, and you can replace drying with freezing if that seems more convenient.

Discover our tutorial: How to dry thyme?

Uses and benefits

Thyme leaves, with their garrigue scent, are highly valued in cooking. Used alone or in a bouquet garni, combined with Bay, Parsley, and Rosemary, they flavour stews, sauces, marinades, and court-bouillons. Thyme flowers, less common in cooking, add originality and taste to your dishes! They are used fresh, as soon as harvested, for example, to enhance sauces, season and decorate a dish, or to give a real boost to your desserts and pastries, such as in a lemon cake with thyme flowers.

The properties of thyme are remarkable for alleviating various ailments and for stimulating and strengthening the immune defences. It is a good antiseptic for the respiratory tract. It is most often used as an infusion of leaves (herbaceous stems), but also in the form of essential oils. The latter, depending on their main constituents (their chemotypes), can sometimes be very potent and reserved for adults; always consult your pharmacist before using them.

Read our advice in How to treat a cold naturally with thyme?

Propagating thyme

Thyme can be multiplied by clump division or by propagation by cuttings, at any season. This operation is recommended after a few years, especially in a cold and damp climate, to renew the plantings.

Dividing the clumps

Clump division is the easiest and most effective method to multiply your thymes. To divide your thyme plants:

1. Uproot the clumps.
2. Divide into several sections using pruning shears. Ensure that each section has roots.
3. Replant the sections in pots or in the ground, covering the collar with soil as well.
4. Water to encourage the establishment of the plants.

Taking cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is less recommended than clump division, but it is still possible. To take thyme cuttings:

1. Take 20-centimetre-long stems.
2. Plant them two-thirds deep in soil and firm down.
3. Water regularly for 2 months to promote establishment.
4. Transplant in the following spring, in April-May when the risk of frost has passed.

→ Learn more with our tutorial: How to multiply thyme?

Self-seeding

To multiply thyme, also rely on self-seeding! Indeed, after flowering, thyme will produce seeds each year. It is common for some of these seeds to germinate and give rise to new plants near the mother plant. Be attentive during your weeding, as the thyme seedling is quite inconspicuous! Once spotted, simply transplant it to the desired location or let them fill your aromatic patch.

Did you know?

Thyme has been known since antiquity, particularly highlighted by the Greeks who burned it in temples. In Greek mythology, the most beautiful woman in the world and queen of Sparta, Helen (daughter of Zeus and Leda), was charmed by Paris, a Trojan prince, who convinced her to go with him to Troy. Menelaus, Helen’s husband, furious, triggered the Trojan War to retrieve Helen. Legend has it that thyme was born from Helen’s tears.