Common Thyme

What you'll need:

Thyme seeds or small thyme plants (you can find these at garden centers or online)

A pot with drainage holes (about 6-8 inches wide) or a sunny spot in your garden

Well-draining soil (a mix of regular potting soil and sand works well)

• Some gravel or small stones (optional, for better drainage)
• A sunny location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily

When to start:

Thyme loves warmth and sunlight, so it’s best to plant it in spring or early summer when the weather is mild. If you're starting with seeds, you can begin indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date and then move them outside once it warms up.

Choosing the right spot:

Thyme thrives in full sun, so pick a spot where it will get plenty of sunlight throughout the day. If you're planting in a pot, make sure it's placed on a sunny windowsill, balcony, or patio—anywhere it can soak up those rays!

Tip: Thyme doesn’t like soggy roots, so good drainage is key. If your soil tends to hold water, mix in some sand or perlite to help it drain better.

If you have seeds:

1. Fill a small pot or seed tray with well-draining soil.
2. Sprinkle the tiny thyme seeds on top of the soil—don't bury them too deep, just lightly press them into the surface.
3. Water gently using a spray bottle to avoid washing the seeds away.
4. Keep the soil moist but not soaking wet, and place the pot in a warm, sunny spot.
5. Seeds should sprout in about 1-2 weeks. Once they’re big enough to handle (around 2 inches tall), you can transplant them to larger pots or directly into the garden.

If you have seedlings:

1. Dig a small hole in your pot or garden bed, just big enough to fit the root ball of the thyme plant.
2. Gently remove the thyme from its nursery pot and place it in the hole.
3. Cover the roots with soil and pat down lightly, making sure the plant is secure but not too tight.
4. Water lightly after planting.

Spacing Tip: If you're planting more than one thyme plant, give them about 8-12 inches of space between each other so they have room to grow and spread.

Watering:

• Thyme is drought-tolerant, which means it doesn’t need much water. In fact, overwatering is one of the biggest mistakes people make with thyme.
• Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This might mean watering every 1-2 weeks, depending on how hot and dry it is.
• Always water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry—this helps prevent any fungal issues.

Feeding:

• Thyme doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer. A light feeding once or twice during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer is plenty.
• Too much fertilizer can actually reduce the flavor of the leaves, so don’t go overboard!

Pruning:

• Regular pruning keeps thyme bushy and healthy. You can start trimming once the plant is about 6 inches tall.
• Simply snip off the top few inches of growth, cutting just above a leaf node (where the leaves meet the stem). This encourages the plant to branch out.
• Don’t cut more than a third of the plant at once, especially if it’s still young.

Sunlight:

• Thyme loves sunlight! Make sure it gets at least 6 hours of direct sun every day. If you’re growing it indoors, a south-facing window is ideal.
• If your thyme starts looking leggy or pale, it might not be getting enough light. Consider moving it to a brighter spot.

Winter Care:

• Thyme is pretty hardy and can survive light frosts, but if you live in a very cold climate, you might want to bring potted thyme indoors during the winter.
• Indoors, place it near a sunny window and reduce watering even further, as the plant will grow more slowly.

When to harvest:

• You can start harvesting thyme as soon as the plant is established and has plenty of leaves (usually about 2-3 months after planting).
• The best time to harvest is just before the plant flowers, as this is when the oils in the leaves are most concentrated, giving you the strongest flavor.
• You can also harvest thyme anytime you need it for cooking, but morning is usually the best time because the essential oils in the leaves are most potent.

How to harvest:

• Use clean scissors or your fingers to snip off sprigs of thyme. Cut just above a leaf node to encourage new growth.
• You don’t need to strip the leaves from the stems—thyme stems are tender enough to use in cooking.
• Don’t take more than a third of the plant at once; this ensures it keeps growing back.

Storing Thyme:

• Fresh thyme can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Simply wrap the sprigs in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag.
• For longer storage, you can dry or freeze thyme. To dry, hang the sprigs upside down in a cool, dark place until they’re completely dry, then store them in an airtight container. To freeze, chop the leaves and place them in ice cube trays with a little water or oil.

Q: Why is my thyme turning yellow?

A: Yellowing leaves usually mean overwatering. Thyme prefers dry conditions, so make sure you’re not watering too often. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.

Q: Can I grow thyme indoors?

A: Yes, you can! Just make sure it gets plenty of sunlight—ideally 6-8 hours a day. A south-facing window is perfect. If you don’t have enough natural light, consider using a grow light.

Q: My thyme is getting woody. Is that normal?

A: Over time, thyme can become woody, especially if it’s not pruned regularly. To keep it bushy, prune it back by about a third every few months. If it’s already too woody, you can try propagating new plants from cuttings.

Q: Does thyme attract pests?

A: Thyme is generally pest-resistant, thanks to its strong aroma. However, if you notice aphids or spider mites, you can spray the plant with a mixture of water and a few drops of dish soap to get rid of them.

Q: Can I grow thyme from cuttings?

A: Absolutely! Thyme propagates easily from cuttings. Simply snip off a 4-6 inch piece of the plant, remove the lower leaves, and place it in water or moist soil. Roots should develop in a few weeks.