Permapotes

Thyme

Thyme: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar

Common thyme, Thymus vulgaris, is a perennial aromatic plant in the mint family, alongside rosemary and basil. It forms a small, low, branching shrub whose stems become woody at the base. Its tiny fragrant leaves give the plant a fine texture and compact outline. This modest presence in the garden contrasts with its distinct role in the kitchen: a few sprigs bring a characteristic aroma to many savoury preparations. Its woody structure is an important part of its identity as a herb.

The foliage consists of small, narrow leaves arranged in pairs along the stems. Their colour ranges from green to greyish green between forms. Common thyme generally keeps its leaves over winter, although this does not mean continuous growth throughout the year. Its size remains modest, often around twenty to thirty centimetres, with variation between plants and conditions. It therefore has a lasting structure, different from the tender, seasonal foliage of an annual culinary herb such as basil.

Its fragrance suggests warm, earthy and slightly peppery notes. In the kitchen, the leaves are used fresh or dried in soups, sauces, vegetables, slow cooked dishes and marinades. Thyme is a classic ingredient in bouquet garni and herbes de Provence mixtures. Its aroma particularly accompanies tomatoes, potatoes and meat dishes. It brings an aromatic depth that differs from the freshness of parsley or mint, giving it a distinct place among familiar culinary herbs.

Flowering adds small flowers in groups, generally in pink or mauve tones, with variation between forms. They provide nectar for bees and other pollinators. The contrast between these flowers and the tiny leaves gives the plant ornamental appeal as well as culinary usefulness. Its low habit fits into herb gardens, borders and container compositions, where the fine foliage stands out from plants with broader leaves. The flowers add another visible feature to this otherwise mainly leafy herb.

The name thyme covers several species and varieties with different aromas and habits. Wild thyme is not simply a variety of common thyme: the name includes creeping thymes such as Thymus serpyllum. Some other thymes have lemon notes or variegated foliage. When choosing your plant, the botanical name, fragrance and outline therefore provide useful points of reference. This description concerns common thyme, with its small shrubby habit and particularly strong association with traditional culinary uses.

Thyme
Thyme
Characteristics
  • Lifecycle : Perennial
  • Exposure : Full Sun
  • Frost Hardiness : Frost Resistant
  • Cultivation Difficulty : Easy
  • Mature height : 30 cm
Sowing & Planting
  • Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
  • Sowing Depth : 0.5 cm
  • Plant Spacing : 25 cm
  • Row Spacing : 25 cm
Maintenance
  • Maintenance : Low
  • Water Requirements : Low
Other characteristics
  • Soil Type : Sandy
  • Soil pH Preference : Neutral
  • Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
  • Disease Sensitivity : Low
  • Weed Sensitivity : Low
  • Pollination : Insect-pollinated
  • Propagation : Sowing