🌱 Thyme: Growing Guide
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at −10 to 35 °C (14–95 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–8.0. Space plants about 25 cm (9.8 in) apart. Expect 90+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Thymus vulgaris |
|---|---|
| Category | Herbs |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 25 cm (9.8 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–8.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | −10 to 35 °C (14–95 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 90+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 0.3 cm (0.1 in) |
| Height | 15–30 cm (5.9–12 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | |||||
| Continental | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out |
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Jan–Feb, Aug–Sep · Harvest: Mar–May, Oct–Dec.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jun–Jul, Dec–Jan · Harvest: Feb–May, Aug–Nov.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb–Mar, Aug · Harvest: Apr–May, Sep–Nov.
Watering
Water about every 10 days in summer and about every 21 days in winter. Let it dry out between waterings.
Growing tips
Perennial. Extremely hardy. Lemon thyme and creeping thyme. Loved by bees.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Thyme: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
Thyme: how often should I water it?
Water about every 10 days in summer and about every 21 days in winter. Let it dry out between waterings.
Thyme: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 25 cm (9.8 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.3 cm (0.1 in).
Thyme: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 90+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Thyme: which plants grow well with it?
Rose, Cabbage, Eggplant.
Plan your garden
Add Thyme to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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