Growing Thyme, also Common thyme

Thymus vulgaris : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
            S S S S    
                T T T  
                P P    

(Best months for growing Thyme in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays and plant out 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 59°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 10 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 42-52 weeks. Root divisions ready in 3 months.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dry-environment herbs (oregano,sage), Eggplant, Cabbage

Your comments and tips

06 Dec 11, MArtin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm in (sub-) tropical Barbados. Same here: My thyme dies after 2-3 months, leaves getting smaller, get lost, whole plant dries out. Tried different locations from sunny to shady - same result. I thought it might need regular cutting, but the instructions above say harvest sparely. What can we do?
08 Jun 10, Cheryl (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We've inherited a big thyme herb in our new house/kitchen garden. How long do they last for? Do they have a life span? I'm not sure how long it's been there for. It's been dying down but it's winter now.
13 Jun 10, hzprstn (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted a thyme "shrubbery" alongside my driveway 25 yrs ago, and it still thrives. Every few years I cut it back well, every spring when it flowers it is covered in bees. In winter it looks pretty dead and dry - but in spring it is a delight. You can take cuttings too - handy if you want to have thyme in a different place in the garden, once you have striken ( ?) new plants you can put them where you want, and then remove the parent plant. Enjoy !
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