Thyme – Garden or Common

Thymus vulgaris

Characteristics

Culture

Garden Thyme is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun.  Loose, sandy or rocky soils with excellent drainage are best. Drought tolerant. Dislikes wet soils where it tends to rot. Cut back plants to limit woody growth or to stimulate new growth. Harvest leaves throughout the summer as needed. Plants tend to become overly woody and loose after several years at which point replacement should be considered.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Thymus vulgaris, commonly called Garden Thyme or Common Thyme, is a generally upright, woody-based perennial which is primarily grown as a culinary herb in herb gardens. Numerous, somewhat woody stems grow upward to form a foliage mound 6-12″ tall. Stems are clothed with tiny, linear to elliptic, pointed, gray-green leaves with leaf margins that are rolled under.  Leaves are highly aromatic, reaching their peak just before plants flower.  Leaves are frequently used fresh or dried as a seasoning in a variety of culinary applications including soups, stews, sauces, meat and fish dishes. Whorls of tiny, tubular, lilac flowers appear on the stem ends in late spring to early summer. Flowers are attractive to bees. Plants are evergreen in mild winters.

Problems

No serious problems. Some susceptibility to root rot, particularly if soil is too moist.

Garden Uses

In addition to an edible or herb garden, Garden Thyme makes a great addition to a pollinator garden as the flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. Foliage has excellent ornamental value, however, and plants can also be effectively grown in rock gardens or border fronts. May be grown indoors in pots in a sunny kitchen window.

 

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Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder