Lexi Webster
Thyme is a low-maintenance herb that can be grown in most climates and environments, including dry or difficult areas of the garden, pots, or balconies. It is a versatile culinary herb that pairs well with meat, fish, and vegetables. Thyme is easy to grow and care for, requiring minimal attention once established. It thrives in full sun, well-drained soil, and occasional watering. To grow thyme, sow seeds directly in a sunny spot with enriched, well-drained soil and water them well. As the seedlings grow, thin them out and mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture. Pick the leaves regularly to encourage growth, and prune the plant in autumn to maintain a compact growth habit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Climate | Grows well in all climates and areas |
| Soil | Free-draining garden soil enriched with compost and well-aged manure |
| Position | Full sun |
| Flowering | Small white or pink flowers produced in spring or early summer |
| Feeding | Not required |
| Watering | Drought-tolerant once established, water only when required |
| Flavour | Savoury |
| Leaf | Different shapes, colours, and sizes |
| Height | No more than 25 cm |
| Space between plants | 20 cm |
| Mulch | Recommended during warmer months |
| Fertiliser | Occasional application of liquid fertiliser or seaweed solution |
| Pruning | In autumn |
| Harvesting | Once every two weeks |
| Propagation | Self-propagates by naturally layering in the garden |
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What You'll Learn
Soil and fertiliser requirements
Thyme is not fussy about soil, pH, or water. It thrives in a sunny, hot, dry spot and needs well-drained soil. A raised bed with some compost or well-aged manure added to the soil is ideal. Thyme responds well to mulch through the warmer months, but gardeners in temperate and cool areas often remove this mulch in the colder months to allow the soil to warm up. A drink of worm wee or compost tea in spring and after flowering will be beneficial, as will the occasional application of a liquid fertiliser or seaweed solution in spring or after flowering. Thyme is drought-tolerant and has more issues with overwatering than underwatering, so be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot and fungal problems.
When planting, dig a hole twice the size of the pot, remove the plant from the pot, place it in the hole, and backfill with soil so that the plant sits at the same height in the soil as it did in the pot. Thyme is a low-growing herb that spreads, so allow 20 cm between each plant.
If you are growing thyme from seed, the best soil temperature for germination is between 15°C and 25°C. Start seeds in a warm, frost-free place, such as a greenhouse. Keep the seedlings under cover until they are about 10 cm high, then harden them off by putting them outside during the day and inside at night for about a week. Transplant the young plants into their final positions in well-drained soil in full sunlight. Harvest sparingly in the first year.
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Where to grow thyme
Thyme is a hardy herb that can be grown in a variety of climates and spaces. It is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in sunny, hot, and dry spots with well-drained soil. When planting thyme, choose a spot in your garden that receives full sun. If you're planting in a pot, place the pot in a sunny location.
Thyme can be grown in pots, making it ideal for small gardens or balconies. When planting in a pot, choose a container that is at least 300mm wide and deep and use a quality potting mix. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent overwatering, which can lead to root rot and fungal issues.
In the ground, thyme can be planted in herb or kitchen gardens, providing fresh ingredients for cooking. It can also be used as a ground cover in dry or difficult areas of the garden to inhibit weed growth. When planting, space the plants 20cm apart to allow for their spreading habit.
Thyme grows best in well-drained soil enriched with compost or well-aged manure. It is not particular about soil pH and does not require supplementary fertiliser. However, applying a liquid fertiliser or seaweed solution in spring or after flowering can benefit the plant's health.
In temperate regions of Australia, thyme can be grown from seed trays and transplanted after 6-8 weeks. Sow the seeds at a soil depth three times the diameter of the seed, with temperatures between 15°C and 25°C. Keep the seeds in a warm, frost-free place, such as a greenhouse, until they reach about 10cm in height.
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How to plant thyme
Thyme is a hardy herb that is easy to grow in Australia. It thrives in sunny, hot, and dry spots and is perfect for ground cover to inhibit weed growth. It can be grown in pots, in a herb or kitchen garden, or directly in a garden bed. Thyme is not fussy about soil, pH, or water, but it does need well-drained soil.
To plant thyme, start by choosing a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Enrich the soil with compost or well-aged manure. If planting in a pot, choose one that is at least 300mm wide and deep, and fill it with a quality potting mix. Dig a hole twice the size of the pot the plant is currently in. Remove the plant from its current pot, place it in the hole, and backfill with soil so that the plant sits at the same height in the soil as it did in its previous pot. Leave a little room for the plant to grow, as thyme is a spreading herb.
Sow seeds directly into the ground or a pot and cover with seed-raising mix. Firm down and water well. As seedlings grow, thin them out to 20-25cm apart. You can also start seeds in seed trays and transplant the young plants into their final positions after 6-8 weeks. Sow seeds at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. The best soil temperature for germination is between 15°C and 25°C. Keep the seeds in a warm, frost-free place, such as a greenhouse, until they are about 10cm high. Then, harden them off by putting them outside during the day and inside at night for about a week before transplanting.
Thyme does not usually require any supplementary fertiliser, but an occasional application of a liquid fertiliser or seaweed solution in spring or after flowering will benefit the plant's health. Mulch the base of the plant with organic mulch like sugar cane or pea straw to retain moisture and protect the roots in frosty weather.
Pick the leaves regularly to encourage more growth, and prune the plant in autumn to maintain a compact growth habit and contain its spread. Thyme is drought-tolerant and does not need to be watered frequently. Only water when the soil is dry or during the establishment of the plant. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot and fungal problems.
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Thyme maintenance
Thyme is a hardy, low-maintenance herb that can be grown in a variety of climates and areas, including dry or difficult spots in the garden. It is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering, except during establishment. In fact, thyme is more susceptible to overwatering than under-watering, which can lead to root rot and fungal problems. Therefore, only water thyme when the soil is dry, and avoid watering the leaves. During hot weather, a drink once a week should be sufficient.
Thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is not fussy about soil type, pH, or water, but you should enrich the soil with compost or well-aged manure at planting. A raised bed with compost is perfect for thyme. Additionally, mulching around the base of the plant with organic mulch like sugar cane or pea straw will help retain moisture during the warmer months. However, gardeners in temperate and cool areas often remove the mulch during colder months to allow the soil to warm.
Thyme is a spreading herb that grows close to the ground, so it is important to allow room for it to spread. Leave about 20 cm between each plant. You can prune thyme in autumn to maintain a compact growth habit and contain its spread. Use these cuttings for propagation or dry them for cooking. After a few years, if your plant looks tired, a hard prune will help rejuvenate it.
Thyme does not usually require supplementary fertiliser, but an occasional application of a liquid fertiliser or seaweed solution in spring or after flowering will benefit the plant's health. After applying fertiliser, delay harvesting for a few days and rinse well before cooking and eating. Pick the leaves regularly to encourage growth, but only take a few leaves at a time, leaving the top ones untouched.
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Thyme harvesting
Thyme is a hardy, woody-stemmed perennial herb that is easy to grow and can be harvested at almost any time during the growing season. However, there are some best practices to ensure the plant remains healthy and flavourful.
Firstly, it is important to assess the health of the plant. If there are signs of stress, such as wilted or yellowing leaves, or insect damage, it is recommended to address these issues before harvesting. If the plant is in good health, it is ready to be harvested.
Harvesting thyme regularly will prevent it from becoming too woody and will encourage new growth, allowing the plant to become lush and full. It is recommended to harvest thyme sparingly in the first year. When harvesting, it is best to leave at least one-third of the plant to allow it to recover. For this reason, it is advised to trim the top of the plant, rather than cutting close to the base. Harvesting the leaves, rather than the stems, will also encourage the plant to bush out. The flavour of thyme is also said to be best before it starts flowering.
To harvest, clean your cutting shears with warm water and soap, or an alcohol wipe, to prevent the spread of disease. Cut the new growth just above the bud, working around the plant. You can also pinch off a few springs with your fingers, but be sure to wash your hands first.
After harvesting, the thyme leaves can be dried or wrapped in baking paper and plastic and then frozen for later use.
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Frequently asked questions
Thyme is a hardy herb that can be grown in full sun in a garden bed or in pots. It grows well in all climates and areas, including dry or difficult spots in the garden. It is drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soil enriched with compost and well-aged manure.
Thyme is a low-maintenance herb that does not require much attention once established. It is important not to overwater thyme, as this can lead to root rot and fungal problems. Feed the plant with a liquid fertiliser or seaweed solution in spring or after flowering to promote health. Prune the plant in autumn to maintain a compact growth habit.
Harvest thyme once every two weeks, picking only a few leaves at a time rather than taking all the leaves off. Regularly picking the leaves will encourage more growth.
