Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, thyme is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing thyme.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Thyme Belong To?
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
Some of its relatives include peppermint, basil, and lavender.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Thyme?
The minimum container depth recommended for thyme is 4 inches.
However, a small container will limit thyme's growth, even if it will not damage the plant. A planter that is at least 8 inches deep will allow it to grow to a larger size.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Thyme?
Some of thyme's best companions are as follows:
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Oregano
- Marjoram
- Tulsi
- Savory, including both summer savory and winter savory
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Horehound
- Motherwort
- Cauliflower, kale, and other Brassicas
- Stevia
- Dill
- Parsley
- Bay
- Lemon verbena
- Lovage
- Tomato
- Peppers such as bell pepper and jalapeño
- Eggplant
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Thyme?
Thyme is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with thyme are as follows:
- Watercress
- Marshmallow
- Celery
- Cilantro
- Chives
What Soil Conditions Does Thyme Need?
Thyme prefers well-draining, sandy to loamy soil with average fertility. It tolerates a pH range of 5.0 to 8.0, but a pH of 7.0 is ideal.
How Long Does Thyme Take to Germinate?
Thyme takes 2-4 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 60-70°F.
How Much Sun Does Thyme Need?
Thyme grows best in full sun. It can usually tolerate dappled shade, but it is unlikely to tolerate part shade conditions unless temperatures are very high.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and thyme grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Thyme Need?
Thyme needs to be watered deeply once every 1-2 weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity level of its environment.
In other words, in mild temperatures, it likely only needs to be watered once every 2 weeks. But in hot temperatures, it is best watered closer to once per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Thyme?
Thyme grows fastest in temperatures of 65-85°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some thyme varieties are bred for longer harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Thyme Get?
The average height of thyme is 6-18 inches.
Is Thyme Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Thyme is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives longer than a couple of years.
Thyme has an average lifespan of about 6 years in healthy growing conditions.
How Does Thyme Reproduce?
Thyme reproduces by seed and by runners.
Can Thyme Be Ingested?
Thyme leaves are edible.
Thyme leaves have antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a thyme tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting thyme.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of thyme rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for thyme here!
Thyme is featured in these Plant to Plate articles:
- Simple Uses for Thyme
- Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden
- Gardening in Full Sun
- Soil Conditions and Plant Health