- Thyme thrives in full sun and loves heat.
- Soil needs to drain well so there aren’t “wet feet.” In the garden, plant with other drought-tolerant perennials.
- In early spring, you may fertilize with organic matter, like compost, but not much soil amendment is necessary.
How do I look after my garden thyme?
How to care for thyme. 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. Thyme doesn’t like rich soil, but will benefit from a light feeding of a high potash plant food in spring.
When should I cut back my thyme plant?
In late fall, after the first frost, select one-third of the oldest and woodiest stems on your thyme plant. Using sharp, clean shears, cut these stems back by half. Repeat the process the next year until your thyme plant has returned to growing younger, more tender stems all over the plant.
How often do you water outdoor thyme?
every 10–15 days
Thyme is an herb that can thrive with very little watering. You should only have to water this herb every 10–15 days. Thyme is also a plant that can thrive in colder months thanks to its hardy nature.
Can you keep thyme outside?
Plant out in a warm, sunny spot in the garden. They demand well-drained soil and will rot over winter if the ground is too wet. If your soil is too heavy or you have a small garden, grow thyme in pots – they will thrive in 15cm (6in) pots filled with a gritty potting medium, ideally soil.
Does thyme come back every year?
A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.
Why is my thyme plant dying?
The most common reasons for thyme dying are: Thyme has root rot or fungal disease due to consistently damp soil. Thyme that is drooping and turning yellow because of damp soils or excess nitrogen in the soil due to additional fertilizer. Thyme plant that is turning brown, dry and dying back.
Should I cut back thyme in the spring?
The best time to prune thyme is in early spring once it starts putting out new growth. Use clean garden shears or scissors to cut off ⅓ of the oldest, woodiest growth on the plant. After that, your thyme will be set for the growing season.
How do you cut thyme without killing the plant?
How Do You Harvest Thyme So It Grows Back?
- Use a pruner or proper garden shears when harvesting thyme.
- Cut the stems in clumps, going close to the base.
- Don’t cut into the stem’s woody part; this is needed for regrowth.
- Cutting individual stems is unnecessary.
How can you tell if thyme is overwatered?
The most common symptoms of a thyme plant that is over watered are: Drooping or wilting foliage. Leaves turning yellow or brown.
Do you water thyme in winter?
Caring for thyme
Water thyme only when the soil is dry or during establishment. Thyme does not usually require any supplementary fertiliser but, as with most herbs, the occasional application of a liquid fertiliser or seaweed solution in spring or after flowering will be beneficial to overall plant health.
What is the best fertilizer for thyme?
Feed thyme plants each spring with all-purpose 10-10-10 ratio fertilizer. Apply it at half-strength to keep the plant from producing too much foliage, which will diminish the potency of thyme’s fragrant oils. Water the plants thoroughly after feeding to distribute the fertilizer into the soil.
How do I prepare thyme for the winter?
Cut the plants nearly to the ground after the first hard frost, then cover the plants with soil and top the soil with 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) of mulch. A layer of evergreen boughs will also protect perennial herbs from harsh, drying winds.
Does thyme like sun or shade?
In early spring, you may fertilize with organic matter, like compost, but not much soil amendment is necessary. Sun: Thyme needs a growing area with plenty of sunlight. Indoors, find a sunny window for your thyme. In the garden, intersperse among other drought-tolerant perennials in an area that receives full sun.
How do you harvest thyme so it keeps growing?
- Harvest thyme just before the plant flowers by cutting off the top five to six inches of growth.
- It’s best to harvest thyme in morning after the dew has dried.
- 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).
Why is my thyme turning brown?
The reason thyme plants turn brown is because of fungal disease caused by excess moisture around the roots. Thyme is a Mediterranean herb that prefers somewhat dry conditions. Over watering and slow draining soils promote the conditions for fungal pathogens that cause thyme plants to turn brown.
How does thyme spread?
Just like all plants, thyme plants spread by growing from one set of leaves to the next. In between the leaves is a stem segment. Some thymes produce sets of leaves very close together while others are spaced further apart. Stem segments grow faster without having to produce tightly knit sets of leaves.
Does thyme grow in shade?
Thyme. Most varieties of thyme will tolerate part shade. Let the soil slightly dry out between waterings. Try planting it with other flowers and herbs for a fragrant container.
Can you bring a thyme plant back to life?
Thyme prefers dry soil, so if the herb is planted in wet ground, you may be able to revive it by simply watering less frequently. Thyme loves full sun. If it is sunlight deprived, replant it in a sunnier part of your garden or move it to a bright windowsill.
What temperature is too hot for thyme?
Thyme Plant Care Overview
| Scientific name: | Thymus |
|---|---|
| Classification: | Herb |
| Common names: | Thyme |
| Hardiness: | zones 3-11 |
| Temperature: | 65-85°F |
Do you cut back thyme for winter?
Cut back thyme after flowering and protect tender species in winter.