Skip to main content

How to plant, grow and harvest thyme, a versatile, savory herb

Thyme, or Thymus vulgaris, is one of the most ubiquitous herbs out there, so it can often be overlooked when people pick out herbs to plant. But given that it’s relatively easy to grow and versatile in the kitchen, this Mediterranean herb is definitely one that deserves a spot in your garden or on your kitchen windowsill. How can you plant and use this low-growing, woody perennial? Read ahead for everything that you need to know about thyme.

Thyme
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What you need to know about thyme

This modest plant doesn’t look out of the ordinary when compared to other herbs. It features small leaves on woody stems, sometimes pushing out small white, lavender, or pink flowers during the growing season. So what distinguishes it from other herbs? It features a warm, savory-sweet flavor that’s slightly earthy and minty. Its mild yet distinct flavor allows it to pair well with virtually any savory dish, whether you’re tossing it in with your meats, veggies, or mushrooms. (It’s occasionally found in artisanal desserts as well.) All you have to do is pluck off the leaves and use them fresh or dry them.

Recommended Videos

On that second note, thyme is easy to dry because it’s a woodier herb. Many varieties are actually ornamental, so make sure that you’re picking up culinary thyme. The most common types for cooking include the lemon, French, and Caraway thyme plants, so keep an eye out for these if you’re planning to use them in your recipes. Additionally, thyme, or rather its compound, thymol, is often found in personal care products due to its potential antimicrobial properties.

Girl plant thyme
Cavan Images / Shutterstock

How to grow thyme

Thyme is easier to grow from young plants than seeds, so start with a seedling from your local garden center or a cutting from a friend. As thyme is a perennial, it grows back year after year during the spring for plenty of harvests to come. You can grow it in your garden with about a foot or two of space around each plant. Alternatively, you can also keep it indoors in a large pot with ample room for the roots to establish. If you’re going down this route, a clay pot is best for wicking away excess moisture. In either case, your thyme will benefit from sandy soil that’s well draining. You can add compost to your potting mix at the beginning of spring, but it’s not strictly necessary to feed your thyme throughout the growing season.

Thyme prefers full sun, which helps promote growth and bring out its flavor. Keep indoor plants as close to a window (preferably a bright southeast one) as possible. Don’t overwater your thyme — it does best in dry, warm conditions, so let the soil dry out before you give it a good drink. Once your plant reaches eight to ten inches tall, it should be ready for harvest. While it’s a rule of thumb to harvest herbs before they flower, you don’t have to be too cautious with thyme since the flowers won’t impact the flavor much. The flowers, in fact, can actually help draw in beneficial pollinators such as bees. For the best flavor, consider picking your thyme in the warmer summer months.

Rosemary is an excellent herb to grow alongside thyme as a companion plant due to its similar needs. Plants such as strawberries, cabbages, and tomatoes can also benefit from the pollinators that thyme attracts.

Prune thyme
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to propagate thyme

Propagating thyme is easy. The simplest way to go about it is by cutting sprigs with new leaves. (You may have more difficulty growing plants when using woodier, older cuttings.) After snipping off a four- to six-inch cutting, remove the lower two- to three-inch set of leaves. Stick the exposed nodes into your soil and spritz it with water. Rooting powder may encourage growth, but it’s not strictly necessary for successful propagation. Another way you can propagate thyme, of course, is by way of root division. Propagated plants do best when the temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so start the process around spring or summer. As you harvest or propagate thyme, you’re also pruning it back, which will lead to a fuller plant. Just remember that you’re cutting thyme, you want to leave five to six inches of growth so that your plant can continue thriving.

One of the easiest herbs to grow, thyme deserves a spot in your garden, whether it’s in your kitchen or in your yard. Its earthy, savory flavor makes it versatile in a wide range of recipes, so it’s convenient to have on hand as a fresh or dried herb. Give it plenty of bright light and warm temperatures — it should be ready for snipping before you know it.

Stacey Nguyen
Stacey's work has appeared on sites such as POPSUGAR, HelloGiggles, Buzzfeed, The Balance, TripSavvy, and more. When she's…
5 amazing plants that grow in water, no soil necessary
Start growing plants in water with one of these
Golden pothos cutting rooting in a glass

Gardening can be fun and relaxing, but it can also be a bit messy. If you aren’t fond of dirt and would rather keep your house and your hands clean, then starting a hydroponic garden might be the right choice for you. Hydroponic gardening can sound intimidating, but really all it means is growing plants in water rather than soil.

While you might immediately think of water lilies and lotuses, those plants do actually grow roots in the soil at the bottom of ponds! Hydroponic gardening means there’s no soil at all. Not all plants are suited for it, but here are five plants that grow in water for you to consider starting with.
Orchids

Read more
Stargazer lilies – how to grow them for stunning blooms
Indoor and outdoor care for stargazer lilies
A cluster of stargazer lily flowers

Of the many popular flowers found in summer flower gardens, lilies are perhaps one of the most versatile. There are many colors, patterns, and even shapes available, so you're sure to find a lily that fits your garden. One popular lily variety is the stargazer lily, which has large, striking flowers. In outdoor gardens, they make for a stunning centerpiece, but did you know you can also grow them indoors? They even make fantastic cut flowers! This guide will explain everything you need to know about caring for your stargazer lilies, whether indoors or out.
Indoor care

Stargazer lilies, like other lily varieties, can grow indoors with proper care. Indoor care for stargazer lilies begins with choosing the correct container. It needs to be deep and have sufficient drainage holes. Avoid shallow pots or those without drainage holes, such as ceramic pots. Likewise, you must use well-draining soil to avoid overwatering. Stargazer lilies enjoy moist soil, but they don’t tolerate standing water. Soil that is rich in organic matter is ideal.

Read more
6 incredible types of basil for your herb garden
Add a little variety to your garden with one or all of these basil types
Basil plant bathed in sunlight

Herbs are fun to grow and useful to have around, both for flavoring meals and for keeping certain pests away. Basil is one of the most popular herbs, and for good reason. This tasty herb is versatile and easy to grow, both indoors and out. Did you know there’s more than just one type of basil? If you’re planning your next herb garden, here are six types of basil you should consider including to add a little variety to your garden.
Sweet basil

Sweet basil, also called genovese basil, is the most common type of basil, but there’s a reason it’s the classic. Reliable and delicious, sweet basil gives you the basil flavor and look that you’re familiar with. If you’ve grown basil before, it was likely sweet basil. Place your sweet basil in full sun, with some light afternoon shade if it’s outdoors. Water it regularly to keep the plant fresh and healthy, and you can begin harvesting leaves in just a few weeks, as soon as the plant has four sets of leaves. Be sure to leave a few leaves on the plant so it can continue to grow.
Thai lemon basil

Read more