Thyme

As an evergreen perennial accented with masses of tiny flowers, thyme is a welcome addition to an ornamental garden as a shrub or groundcover, but its scented leaves make it indispensable in a collection of culinary herbs. In any location, only a few requirements are needed for thyme to thrive.

Selecting a Variety

Common thyme ( vulgaris), sometimes called English or garden thyme, grows 1-2 ft. high and wide. Its robust flavor makes it one of the most popular types of thyme for culinary use.
vulgaris ‘French,’ said to be slightly sweeter and milder than the plain species, and T. vulgaris ‘Argenteus’, known as silver thyme, are both often preferred over common garden thyme.
For specific flavors, select among other varieties such as herba-barona, caraway-scented thyme; T. vulgaris ‘Orange Balsam’; T. x. citriodorus, lemon thyme; and T. camphoratus, camphor thyme.
Characteristics of additional varieties and young plants can be found at nurseries or in seed catalogs. All types are attractive to bees and are deer-resistant.
Non-culinary varieties can be used as groundcovers or small shrubs to attract pollinators.

Growing Thyme

Use a purchased soil mix to grow thyme in pots, but plant in any soil type in a garden bed as long as it is well-drained.
Plant in spring in a sunny location. Most varieties grow at a moderate pace and require 1-2 ft. of space to develop a pleasing shape.
Young thyme plants accept regular water but, once established, very little is needed. Over-watering causes fungal disease and rot. No fertilizing is needed.
While thyme is best cultivated in a hot, sunny location, it also thrives in partial shade where drought is more easily tolerated.
No protection is needed in winter in any Sonoma County microclimate.
Mature plants require shearing to remain compact. Regular shearing or harvesting is essential to stimulate continued leafy growth; otherwise, woody stems proliferate.
Thyme can be propagated by seed, but it takes several years before shrubs are mature enough for harvest.
Propagation from cuttings taken from fresh growth in early summer is faster, rooting in 3-4 weeks, but patience is required before ample stems develop for harvesting.
After established plants develop multiple stems and sufficient root mass, they can be propagated by division. Carefully dig up the entire rootball, divide into 2-3 sections, and replant.

Additional Information

Drying Herbs

April 2022