Thyme plants are small, woody, evergreen plants with small, fragrant, gray-green leaves and pink or white flowers. They are native to the Mediterranean region and thrive in sunny, dry locations. They are drought tolerant and require little maintenance. Thyme plants are used in cooking and herbal medicine, and they are also used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Planning Your Garden With Thyme
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Thyme is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Thyme is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Thyme is a cold-hardy herb that can tolerate temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | Thyme typically takes between 30 and 45 days to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown thyme plant is between 6 and 12 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Thyme is a low-growing herb that requires well-drained soil and full sun. It should be spaced 8 to 12 inches apart in the garden. |
| Sun tolerance | Thyme is tolerant of full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and should be watered regularly. |
| Shade tolerance | Thyme is a very tolerant plant and can grow in full sun to full shade. It can tolerate partial shade but will grow best in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Thyme prefers warm, dry conditions and well-drained soil. It should be watered moderately, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Too much water can cause root rot and other diseases. In the summer, water thyme once or twice a week, or as needed to keep the soil slightly moist. In the winter, water less often, only when the soil begins to dry out. |
| Fertilizer | Thyme does not require a lot of fertilizer. A light application of a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) once a year in the spring is usually sufficient. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing thyme is 6.0 to 8.0. |
Why Thyme is Popular
People like to grow thyme because it is an easy to grow, low-maintenance herb that has a wide variety of uses. It has a pleasant flavor that can be used to season many dishes, and it is also known for its medicinal properties. It is also a great addition to any garden because it adds texture and color.
Companion Plants For Thyme
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for thyme include:
Common Pests For Thyme
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow thyme, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
