Common thyme care guide
Thymus vulgaris
Also known as: Garden thyme, English thyme
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Common thyme
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 3 days
- Drought-tolerant: water thoroughly a day or two after the topsoil dries, as a guide, and keep it out of prolonged rain in the rainy season.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 5 days
- As it cools the soil dries slowly, so wait a few days after it dries, as a guide.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 7 days
- Keep it on the dry side in winter, watering on a mild morning a few days after the soil dries, as a guide.
Light and placement for Common thyme
Generally wants full sun and moving air, with a sunny outdoor spot as the guide; in the rainy season move it under the eaves and keep air flowing into the center of the plant to prevent rot.
Overwintering Common thyme
Overwintering guide: −10°C (14°F) or above
Hardy and generally overwintered outdoors as a guide: it stays evergreen and shrugs off frost, though a pot is best kept from freezing under the eaves with sparing water.
Fertilizing and repotting Common thyme
Fertilizer
Needs very little: about a pinch of slow-release fertilizer in spring and fall as a guide; too much nitrogen makes it soft and less fragrant, and none is given in midsummer or winter.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep), Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Common problems with Common thyme
- Rainy-season and summer humidity brown out the center of the plant.
- After a few years the stems turn woody and the foliage thins out.
- Overwatering rots the roots and the whole plant wilts.
Tips for growing Common thyme
- Shear it back by about a third after flowering to open it up and prompt new shoots.
- Renew it every two or three years from cuttings or by division.
- The fragrance peaks just before flowering, the best time to harvest and dry it.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
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