Thyme is a intrepid , perennial , evergreen herb that is perfect for those winter sweat and soups . The leaves are small but incredibly flavorsome . Outside of the kitchen , develop thyme as a landscaping plant in rock gardens and alongside terrace is hugely popular , thanks to its tolerance for dry , live conditions .
Lots of cooks conceive thyme to be a staple herbaceous plant , and it ’s often used in alignment with other Mediterranean herbs like oregano and parsley . Having unfermented thyme usable will enhance your cooking and make your kitchen smell like summertime .
Thyme has a rattling pungent flavor that often cue people of trefoil . It smell so lovely that in ancient Greece , it was a compliment to tell someone they smelled like thyme .
Thyme Plant Info
Thyme Varieties
Thyme come in cosmetic and culinary varieties . Ornamental variety are often the 1 we plant in rock gardens . Culinary ones are prize for cooking . But that does n’t signify you ca n’t expend culinary varieties to add some color to your garden .
There are over 300 thyme cultivars . you may find the more vulgar ones at your local nursery , but if you go online you ’ll find oneself more option . Mountain Valley Growersoffers a diverse natural selection .
English
This is easily the most popular variety and the one we most colligate with cooking . It ’s an upright grower paroxysm for zona 5 - 9 . It arise to 12 in tall . This diverseness is sometimes referred to as common or German thyme . The name does n’t matter . To verify that it ’s the type you want , front for the scientific nameThymus vulgaris .
Lemon
Lemon thyme is an upright form with attractive , variegated leaves that have a rich , lemony scent . It tolerates cold well and can be grow in planting zones 4 -11 . Fast - produce .
Caraway
With ruby-red base and pretty pink prime , this is an attractive mixture that is both culinary and cosmetic . It looks beautiful along pathways and has a sassy scent .
Caraway thyme can be used as a substitute for caraway and blends nicely with roast meat and baked in cabbage . A vigorous raiser in geographical zone 5 - 11 .
Juniper
Juniper thyme grows upright to only six inch tall , which make it ideal as a container plant . pocket-sized silvery leaves give it the nickname moonshine thyme . you’re able to maturate it indoors to delight thyme all yr . Great for on the deck in summertime and in a sunny window during the wintertime .
Woolly
This variety is a creeper , prise for rock-and-roll garden and in between pavers . It only gets four in marvellous and has gray , slimly fuzzy leafage , hence the name . This one does not produce many efflorescence .
Creeping Thyme
Another decorative variety prized for rock gardens . Also cognize as mother - of - thyme , it originate in low mounds or clumps . bring forth attractive flowers which bees love .
Elfin Thyme
I really want to total this type to myfairy garden . It ’s a pussyfoot ornamental variety with tiny leaves and petite lilac flowers . Only raise to four column inch across and slow - farm . zone 5 - 9 .
How to Plant Thyme
Thyme is one of the European herbs that evolved in the rough , arenaceous coastal climate of the Mediterranean Sea . Growing thyme is the stark pick for desiccate localisation and make an idealistic plant for xeriscaping . Once institute , thyme will allow drought atmospheric condition well .
Growing Zones
Thyme does well in USDA zones 5 - 9 .
Sun Requirements
Thyme bang the Sunday and the hot the good . Give it full sun , at least 6 hour a day .
Soil Requirements
Thyme likes slightly alkalic soil with a pH between 5.5 - 7.0 . If your soil is acidulent you’re able to add lime to raise your pH.
The grime where you are growing thyme should be well - draining and loose . I add sand to my earth since I started out in gravid clay . The grit helps to loosen the soil , reserve the roots to distribute out , and serve water to drain .
I have my thyme engraft in two locations . One is in an outdoor raised bed for herbs and the 2d is in my nursery . In both cases , I plant thyme with like - minded herbs such as rosemary , oregano , and sage . They all share similar growing conditions and do well in close proximity .
Starting From Seed
Like rosemary and mint , thyme can be unmanageable to start from cum and has low germination rate . If you settle to start up from source , add four seminal fluid per pot and put them in a tender room of over 70 ° atomic number 9 .
Propagating Thyme
Both press clipping and layering work well as a propagation tool . In addition , you may buy thyme plants online or from a local nursery . ensure you get the cultivar you desire – either culinary or ornamental .
To learn more about layering check out our usher onhow to propagate new plant . Or observe this television to get started .
Transplanting
you’re able to transplant your seedling outside after the grime has warm to 70 ° F and the danger of hoar is gone .
reckon on the salmagundi , grade thyme 12 - 24 column inch apart . The cringe variety will need more room than the upright ones . Keep in mind when you are planting in between pavers that the plant will also sneak onto your nerve tract .
Containers
Thyme does well in container and is a welcome houseplant . It has a delightful aroma , especially if you select a cultivar such as lemon thyme . When growing indoors , you want to place in a gay window or have it under grow light .
When putting into a container , habituate a idle seedling mixture . I have often motley cactus land in with a seedling admixture to please thyme . Cactus pot soil stop sand which help with drain . In addition , I add together in a scoop or two of well - aged compost when pot up .
Caringfor Thyme
Thyme is a intrepid herb and soft to care for . Thyme will die back in winter , but my outside works often appease dark-green into December . In a warm wintertime , my greenhouse plant has greenish parting throughout the dormant season .
Watering
Thyme is extremely drought tolerant , so let it dry out well between watering . A thoroughgoing watering after the soil is dry to three column inch is much good than a Christ Within sprinkle every few days .
Fertilizing
Like most herbs , thyme does not wish to be over - fertilized . While growing thyme , I mulch mine with two inches of well - rotted compost in the spring . This seems to do a good job of keeping the plants levelheaded .
Dividing Thyme
Thyme benefits from being divided every four year . After a few years , the stems become thickheaded and produce fewer folio . Dividing your plant will encourage new ontogeny – and you’re able to share with a supporter .
Mulch
Mulch is utile , especially in winter . In late fall , add a thick bed of straw or Mrs. Henry Wood chip around your plants to extend winter protection . This is necessary for cool climate so that your thyme does not die as the tingle moves in .
Problemand Solutions for Growing Thyme
Thyme is brave and relatively problem - free , but there are a few thing you want to keep an middle on .
Root Rot
One trouble thyme can develop is root rotting . Root rot causes the origin to decay and they become unable to absorb nutrient .
Thyme likes lite , well - drained soil and blistering , dry conditions . If your thyme is in labored grime and you have a wet spring it may get ascendent rot and die .
Gray Mold Or Botrytis
Thyme can also get gray mold , which come along as gray spots on the leaves . It is triggered by too much wet or high humidity . It ’s hard to control your outdoor plant conditions when the conditions is wet , so you may want to keep your drought - loving herb in containers if you hold out in a slopped area .
Make trusted your thyme is in well - drain soil and have plenty of elbow room for aura to circulate around the leaves . You canspray with neem oilto facilitate command the fungus .
CompanionPlants for Growing Thyme
Some plants that benefit from grow thyme near them are :
Honey bees and other pollinator hump thyme . For the most part , we are credibly going to reap our thyme before it flowers ( that ’s when the essential oils are the strong ) . However , you may want to countenance a plant or two blossom for the bees .
Do n’t plant thyme with :
Harvesting, Storing, and Using Thyme
harvesting thyme using shrewd scissors . Snip the sprig off the plant . Thyme is most potent just before it peak , but you’re able to harvest leave whenever you call for them . Thyme responds well to pruning and will grow vigorously when it is trimmed , so do n’t prevail back .
Store clean thyme in the crisper section of the refrigerator for up to two weeks . you may also dry out it . skip sprig before they blossom and bind in a bundle . Place them in a theme bag with hollow to keep the leaves clean and together if they descend off the stem . leaf are quick to store when they are crunchy and decay in digit .
One excellent agency to apply your thyme is to make adelicious marinade .
Thyme in Natural Medicine
Thyme is not only great in your cooking commode , but it has medicative quality as well . It ’s is well known for its antiseptic properties , and it ’s a pop fixings in many health care products .
It was especially democratic for mouth and tooth care in ancient times and is still in some mathematical product today . Thymol is one of the ingredients in the mouthwash Listerine and Vicks Vapor Rub .
The Bottom Line
herb are an essential plant for any garden – or even if you only have a little place on a windowsill . Of all the herbs out there , thyme is one of the best to have around because it ’s various and leisurely belong .
Was this article helpful?
What went wrong?
This article contain incorrect info
This clause does not have the information I am look for
How can we improve it?
We appreciate your helpful feedback!
Your answer will be used to improve our content . The more feedback you give us , the better our pages can be .
