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T
HerbsHardyPerennial (long-lived)

Thyme

Thyme is a compact evergreen herb for sunny dry sites, grown for strongly scented leaves and masses of pollinator-friendly flowers. It is one of the best herbs for low-maintenance planting, edging and container culture where drainage is good.

Basic information

Category
Herbs
Lifecycle
Perennial (long-lived)
Hardiness
Hardy
Planting partners
11 companions · 0 crops to avoid

Growth profile

Days to harvest
365 days
Germination window
14–28 days
Germination temperature
15–20 °C
Plant spacing
25 cm
Row spacing
30 cm
Sowing depth
0.2 cm
Height
30 cm
Spread
25 cm

Calendar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Sow Indoors
Sow Outdoors
Plant Out
Flowering / Harvest
Timings based on average frost dates in the UK. Sign up to set your frost dates.

Care tips

Grow thyme in full sun and sharply drained soil, because excess shade and damp quickly reduce vigour and flavour. Trim lightly after flowering to keep it dense, and replace or divide old woody plants when they become sparse in the centre.

Common pests

Root rot in wet soils, aphids, woody dieback in shade.

Companions

Aubergine spriteAubergine
B
Bay Laurel
B
BlackberryBroccoli (Calabrese) spriteBroccoli (Calabrese)Cabbage spriteCabbage
F
FigGlobe Artichoke spriteGlobe ArtichokeGrape Vine spriteGrape VinePear spritePearStrawberry spriteStrawberrySweet Potato spriteSweet Potato

Don’t grow with

No crops to avoid have been added yet.