Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Thyme is a low spreading perennial herb suited to sunny, well-drained sites with low water need. Light trimming after flowering keeps mats compact, while seed, cuttings, or transplants all work though seed emerges slowly over 14–28 days. Hardy established plants survive frost and build harvestable leaf over about 85–95 days from sowing.
Plant family Lamiaceae · Also called common thyme
Explore this profile
Jump directly to the growing detail you need.
Start seed or cuttings after frost.
Sow 0.3 cm deep indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost, or set plants outdoors one to three weeks after frost. Germination is 14–28 days from seed.
Hardy established plants survive frost. Provide sharp drainage from planting day to prevent crown rot.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Plant into lean, well-drained soil.
Space 20–30 cm apart with rows about 45 cm. Spreading stems knit into a ground-hugging mat.
Containers need 20 cm depth and about 5 litres with gritty mix. Low water need suits shallow pots if drainage is excellent.
Core measurements
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Allow for the mature form of the selected variety.
Install support early when it is required or useful.
Favor sun over rich feeding.
Six hours of direct sun minimum. Heat and sun concentrate essential oils in tiny leaves.
Low water at 15–25 mm weekly with pH 6.0–8.0. The key tip pairs drainage with light post-flowering trims.
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ direct-sun hours/day)
Soil pH
A suitable acidity range for general growth.
Weekly water
Low water need.
Allow the upper soil layer to dry slightly between deep waterings; avoid constantly wet soil.
Trim after bloom to stay compact.
Usable leaf mass builds over 85–95 days from sowing. Harvest lightly during establishment so plants spread.
Perennial mats produce more each year. Harvest basis is sowing when raised from seed.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Provide sharp drainage and trim lightly after flowering to keep plants compact.
Thyme growing questions
Should thyme be trimmed after flowering?
The key tip recommends light trimming after flowering to keep plants compact.
Is thyme drought tolerant?
Low water need with 15–25 mm weekly and drying between waterings.
How long does thyme seed take to emerge?
14–28 days at about 0.3 cm depth.
What frost tolerance does thyme have?
Hardy for established plants in the dataset.
Profile values are crop-level planning ranges compiled from sources S4,S5. Local climate and variety can change actual results.
Explore another crop
Compare thyme with other vegetables, herbs, and fruits in Crop Brief.
Browse all 50 crops