Common Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Strong, robust, heavily branched plants produce high yields. Classic culinary and ornamental herb. Complex flavor is sweet and pungent with notes of pine and citrus. Small round to needle-shaped evergreen leaves on woody stems. Perennial in Zones 5-8. Mulch in cold winter climates. Edible Flowers: The flowers are small, but have a mild thyme flavor. Use the flowers in potato dishes and salads.
Harvest
90-95d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
5–9
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Common Thyme in USDA Zone 7
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Common Thyme · Zones 5–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Propagation: Division, Layering, Seed, Stem Cutting.
Harvesting
The fruit is a schizocarp and has four locules or small separate cavities. When the fruit dries, it will split into four sections. Each section contains one or more seeds.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Schizocarp. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The leaves are used fresh or dried to flavor soups, stews, sauces, meats, or fish. It is a native Mediterranean herb that was cultivated as a culinary herb.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh thyme keeps best stored like cut flowers—trim stem ends and place in a glass of water, then cover loosely with a plastic bag and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for 10-14 days this way, much longer than wrapped in paper towels.
For drying, bundle small stems together and hang in a warm, dry, dark location with good air circulation. Thyme dries quickly, usually within a week. Once crisp, strip leaves from stems and store in airtight containers away from light. Properly dried thyme retains excellent flavor for 2-3 years.
Freeze whole sprigs in ice cube trays covered with olive oil for convenient cooking portions. You can also freeze clean, dry leaves in small containers—frozen thyme works beautifully in cooked dishes, though the texture becomes soft when thawed. Thyme makes excellent herb salt when mixed with coarse sea salt and dried thoroughly.
History & Origin
Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has been cultivating human civilization as much as humans have cultivated it. Native to the Mediterranean region, particularly the rocky hillsides of southern Europe and North Africa, thyme has been prized for over 4,000 years. Ancient Egyptians used it in mummification, while Greeks burned thyme as temple incense—the word 'thyme' derives from the Greek 'thymos,' meaning courage.
Roman soldiers bathed in thyme water before battle, believing it imparted bravery. Medieval knights carried thyme sprigs as tokens of courage, and ladies embroidered bees hovering over thyme on scarves for their champions. Monasteries throughout Europe grew thyme both for cooking and medicine, helping spread cultivation across the continent.
This particular variety represents the wild Mediterranean type that's been selected and saved by countless generations of gardeners. Unlike modern hybrid herbs, common thyme's genetics remain virtually unchanged from plants growing wild on Greek islands or French hillsides centuries ago, making it a true heirloom in every sense.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Foot Traffic, Insect Pests, Pollution, Poor Soil, Rabbits
- +Attracts: Attractive Flowers, Attracts Pollinators, Fragrance
- +Wildlife value: Nectar from the flowers attracts bees and butterflies.
- +Edible: The leaves are used fresh or dried to flavor soups, stews, sauces, meats, or fish. It is a native Mediterranean herb that was cultivated as a culinary herb.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Rosemary
Similar growing conditions and both repel cabbage moths and carrot flies
Cabbage
Thyme repels cabbage worms, flea beetles, and other brassica pests
Tomatoes
Thyme repels tomato hornworms and may improve tomato flavor
Strawberries
Thyme deters ants and other pests that damage strawberry plants
Eggplant
Helps repel flea beetles and other pests that commonly attack eggplant
Potatoes
Thyme repels potato beetles and wireworms
Lavender
Similar Mediterranean growing conditions and both attract beneficial pollinators
Broccoli
Repels cabbage loopers, aphids, and other brassica pests
Keep Apart
Cucumber
Thyme's strong oils may inhibit cucumber growth and development
Basil
May compete for nutrients and thyme's woody growth can overshadow basil
Cilantro
Different water and soil requirements, thyme may stunt cilantro growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #173470)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Very disease resistant when grown in well-drained conditions
Common Pests
Spider mites, aphids (rarely serious problems)
Diseases
Root rot in poorly drained soils, botrytis in humid conditions