How To Grow and Care for Thyme

 

Thyme, a tiny but mighty herb, is a fantastic addition to any garden. This guide covers everything you need to know about cultivating thyme, from cuttings and seeds to its uses in your home and garden.

WHY GROW THYME?

1. Easy to grow, even indoors!

2. Packed with flavor and health benefits (natural antibiotic, cough soother, etc.)

3.It is a home remedy for sore throats

4. It is a natural antihistamine for allergy relief

5. A natural mosquito repellent.

6. Repels pests and attracts pollinators

7. It is a natural treatment for intestinal worms

8. It can be used to prevent hair lice

9. It is a natural remedy for yeast infections.

HOW TO GROW THYME FROM CUTTINGS INDOORS:

Thyme is very easy to grow indoors. It likes warmth so it will flourish and thrive well indoors especially when it's too cold outdoors.

IN WATER:

Follow this steps for growing thyme in water indoors successfully

Growing thyme in water is the quickest and easiest method:

Take 3-inch cuttings from a healthy thyme plant. Cut at a leaf node (where leaves sprout).

Remove lower leaves.

Place cuttings in a jar of water in a warm, sunny spot.

Roots will appear in about 6 weeks.

Wait for a healthy root system before planting in a pot with good drainage.

IN POTS: 

Follow this steps for growing thyme in pots indoors successfully: 

1. Start thyme from cuttings.

2. Transfer to a pot of slightly damp soil with stones at the bottom so it drains well. Use a pot with drainage holes (1-2 liters, 13-17 cm diameter).

3. Place in a sunny spot.

4. The Temperature should be between 16°c / 60 f and 32°c / 90 f.

5. water it only when the soil is dry.

6. Prune all over in early spring and a third of the plant after flowering.

7. Divide plants every few years so don’t over grow pot.

HOW TO GROW THYME OUTDOORS

Wait for warm weather:

Seeds: Plant outdoors when temperatures are above 70°F (21°C).

Seedlings: Transplant outdoors when temperatures consistently stay above 60°F (16°C).

When growing in containers:

Use a pot with drainage holes (1-2 liters, 13-17 cm diameter).

Add stones or grit for better drainage.

Consider raising the pot for improved drainage.

Clay pots are ideal as they retain heat.

Divide container plants if they outgrow their pot.

HOW TO GROW THYME FROM SEED

Start indoors in March (scatter seeds lightly on soil).

Germination takes a month and requires temperatures above 70°F (21°C).

Plant outdoors only when temperatures consistently stay above 60°F (16°C).

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SOIL

Thyme thrives in well-draining soil, even poor quality. You can improve drainage by adding grit or pebbles to potting mix.

WATERING NEEDS

Thyme is drought-resistant. Water only when the soil is dry, especially for container plants. Avoid planting with water-loving herbs like mint or basil.

FEEDING THYME PLANT 

Thyme plants will not need feeding unless you are growing in containers in which case some gardeners recommend adding compost or chicken manure for natural nitrogen. We are growing thyme organically, so avoid artificial fertilizers.

COMPANION PLANTING

Thyme benefits neighboring plants by repelling pests and attracting pollinators. 

Plant it with:

1. Roses and brassicas (to repel aphids)

2. Strawberries, tomatoes, and eggplants (to repel caterpillars)

3. Blueberries (to attract pollinators)

PRUNING THYME

Pruning encourages healthy growth:

Start in the second year, after frost risk has passed.

Cut back woody stems without new growth.

Trim spindly stems and non-branching stems.

Prune new growth to encourage bushier plants.

After flowering (if not harvesting), prune again for thicker growth.

PESTS AND DISEASES

Thyme is generally resistant, but watch out for:

1. Rosemary beetles: Remove and squash them manually.

2. Alternaria blight: Improve air circulation, clean tools, remove infected leaves, rotate crops, and consider companion planting garlic.

As Thyme thrives well in an organic garden, Manual pest control is usually sufficient.

HARVESTING THYME

Harvest from the second year onwards:

Use the pruning method (cutting just above the first leaf pair) for continuous growth.

For drying/preserving, harvest before flowering (early summer) in the morning.

BUYING THYME SEEDS AND PLANTS

Combining a range of different thyme varieties can add pretty colour and fragrance to even a tiny herb garden and will be especially attractive to pollinators.

Thyme seeds and plants to look out for include :

• Common thyme (pretty pink flowers)

• Archer's gold thyme (lilac flowers, lemon scent)

• Wooly thyme (pink, purple & white flowers, attractive to bees)

• Lemon thyme (strong lemon fragrance, yellow-edged leaves)

• Jekka thyme (great flavor, pink & white flowers)

• Snowdrift thyme (pretty white flowers)

Thyme is a rewarding herb to grow, offering flavor, fragrance, and natural benefits. With a little care, you can enjoy fresh thyme throughout the year. So why not give it a try?