How does thyme grow

In the garden, plant thyme near cabbage or tomatoes. If you are growing thyme in containers, plant with rosemary which also likes sunny conditions and has similar watering needs. Water deeply only when the soil is completely dry. Prune the plants back in the spring and summer to contain the growth. If you have cold winters, remember to lightly mulch around the plants after the ground freezes. Three to four year old plants need to be divided or replaced because older plants are woody and the leaves less flavorful.

You can take some cuttings and plant them indoors in pots, too. Gray mold Root rot. Harvest thyme just before the plant flowers by cutting off the top five to six inches of growth. Leave the tough, woody parts. Clean leaves should not be washed, because it removes some of the essential oils. Two or more crops may be gathered during the season.

Or, if you keep trimming your thyme plant, it will keep growing and also keep a compact shape. But always leave at least five inches of growth so plant will continue to thrive. Trim thyme whenever it gets leggy. Fresh thyme should be stored refrigerated and wrapped lightly in plastic; it should last one to two weeks To dry thyme, hang the sprigs in a dark, well-ventilated, warm area.

You can also just dry the leaves by placing them on a tray. Once dried, store them in an airtight container. Crush just before using. Under good conditions herbs, will retain maximum flavor for two years. Freezing is another method of storage. The three most common varieties of culinary thyme are: French or English thyme most common Lemon thyme , for a hint of lemon Caraway thyme , for a nice fragrance of caraway and thyme.

Burning thyme can help get rid of insects in your house. Vegetable Gardener's Handbook. What do you want to read next? Growing Herbs in the Garden. Growing Herbs Indoors. How to Freeze and Dry Herbs. Vegetable Garden Plans. A Kitchen Herb Garden.

Herb Garden Solutions. Companion Planting With Herbs. The Best Flowers for Bees. Edible Landscaping: Selecting the Herbs for Health? Think Soup! Please how can I get this plant around Oyo state. Purple flowers have taken over my bed of Thyme. Do I use them in my cooking?

Hi Jeanne, Yes, you can use thyme flowers in your cooking, to flavor butter or olive oil, or in salads. I have a question. Can I grow thyme in Southeast Asia? Here the rain is to heavy every year. Hi Eric, If you have old sprigs of thyme you may want to prune them back so that the plant will send up new growth this spring.

As long as thyme has greenery, you can harvest it. Sign up for our email newsletter by entering your email address. Kick start the festive season and get in touch with your creative side with our minute online class on creating Christmas wreaths with natural materials.

The perfect seasonal addition to your garden, these low-maintenance expertly trained evergreen trees can be enjoyed for years to come. Home How to Grow plants How to grow thyme. Plant size 25cm spread Average Yield Pick leaves as necessary. How to grow thyme — thyme growing in a path. How to grow thyme — how to plant thyme.

How to grow thyme — trimming thyme. How to grow thyme — harvesting thyme leaves. How to grow thyme — thyme and hyssop tea. How to grow thyme — thyme in flower. Subscribe now. Buy tickets. RHS members get reduced ticket prices Join now. Harlow Carr North Yorkshire. Hyde Hall Essex. Rosemoor Devon. Wisley Surrey. Bridgewater Greater Manchester. Environmentally friendly gardening. Plant health. Take part in our research. Meet the team. Shop plants rhsplants. Shopping with the RHS.

RHS Christmas gifts. Help us achieve our goals Make a donation. Join the RHS today and support our charity Join now. There are several species and many varieties to choose from. The following are some of the most popular and commonly available:. Although plants are fairly drought tolerant when established, they need watering in until well established.

Add a mulch of horticultural grit or gravel around plants to prevent moisture sitting at the base of the plant. Flower borders and beds, patios, containers, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal gardens, ground cover. Thyme will rarely need watering apart from during very prolonged periods of dry or drought conditions in summer. Ensure plants in pots are not allowed to completely dry out.

Give plants a liquid feed during summer to improve growth, flavour and flowering. Trim plants after flowering with secateurs or shears to keep them compact and to promote fresh, new growth. Thyme is rarely troubled by any pests or diseases.