It blooms in spring or summer for about three to four weeks. Most thyme plants do not flower in their first growing season.
How often does thyme flower?
The tiny pink, lavender, or white tubular flowers of thyme plants show up in the spring and summer months and are well-liked by bees. Its tiny gray-green leaves remain evergreen, and most thyme varieties can even be harvested in winter in the zones where it is a perennial. Thyme can be planted at almost any time.
Should you stop thyme flowering?
Thyme’s tiny flowers are pretty and white. Though you can pinch the flowers off to allow the plant to produce more leaves, the flavor of thyme really isn’t compromised by letting the plant bloom.
Will thyme keep growing after flowering?
Trim thyme back after it’s finished flowering to promote new growth. This will give you more leaves to harvest through autumn. If you don’t tidy them up, plants become woody and will need replacing after three years. Once established, thyme won’t need watering.
How long does thyme take to flower?
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Perennial woody herb | Rocky, dry soil |
|---|---|---|
| Season: | Summer | 6.5-8.5 |
| Exposure: | Full sun | Well-draining |
| Time to Maturity: | 70 days | Ladybugs, honey bees, parasitic wasps |
| Spacing: | 12-24 inches | Brassicas, nightshades, roses, strawberries and other fruiting plants |
What does it mean when thyme flowers?
Botanically known as Thymus vulgaris, thyme is in the mint family. The name ‘Flowering thyme’ is used to describe the plant in full bom, when it is at its most aromatic; the flavor of the leaves heightened by the presence of the flowers. Thyme doesn’t lose its aroma and flavor once it flowers, as some herbs tend to do.
Can you dry thyme after it flowers?
Eating Thyme
If you don’t want to eat the flowers, harvest the stem and the leaves before the thyme blooms. Dry them by hanging them upside-down in a dark room until they dry completely.
How do you prune thyme after flowering?
Pruning Thyme for Light Rejuvenation
In late summer, after the thyme plant has flowered, select the one-third oldest stems on the plant. Using sharp, clean shears, cut these back by two-third. This should be done yearly for the best health of the plant.
Does thyme regrow after cutting?
Thyme grows back after cutting, and often grows back fuller and stronger. To make sure your plant bounces back, remove only the softest, greenest stems from the plant when harvesting. Never cut past the woody part of the stem. This is the place where new growth occurs.
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.
When should I harvest thyme?
If the thyme is at least 4-5 inches across in diameter, it has matured and is ready for harvest! You can harvest fresh thyme periodically throughout the growing season, spring and summer. For the most flavor from your herbs, trim cuttings right before or as the plant flowers.
Does thyme grow all year round?
As thyme is evergreen, the leaves can be harvested all year round, but the soft new growth in summer has the best flavour.
How often should I water thyme?
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 eat thyme flowers?
And yes, Julie, do eat the thyme flowers: they are perfectly edible and very pretty.
Does thyme spread easily?
They will cover up stepping stones, spreading their stems onto paving searching for ground to root in. Slower growing thymes are more appropriate for small spaces like those between flagstones. Just like all plants, thyme plants spread by growing from one set of leaves to the next.
What can you not plant near thyme?
Although a variety of herbs (and even flowers, like marigolds and nasturtiums) can often be planted together, certain kinds like parsley, cilantro, tarragon, basil and chives prefer a more moist soil, and should not be planted directly with thyme.
Does thyme like full sun?
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.
Does thyme take over a garden?
Mint, oregano, pennyroyal and even thyme will spread through underground runners and can quickly take over the garden. They can be hard to remove as small bits of roots left behind can grow into full plants.
Why do you dry herbs upside down?
One of the oldest methods of preservation is simply to tie the herbs or flowers into bundles, and hang them upside down to dry. This way, the plant juices can flow to the brightest, tastiest parts of the plant via gravity.
Are thyme leaves edible?
Fresh thyme can be added to a recipe whole with the stem, or the leaves can be removed from the stem and then sprinkled into a dish. If a recipe calls for a “sprig” of thyme, the leaves and stem should be kept intact.
Should herbs be dried in the dark?
Hang the stems upside down in a dry, dark place with some air circulation. Sunlight will reduce the color and flavor of the herb so try to keep them out of direct Sun. A well-ventilated attic or basement will work. If you do not have a place to hang them, you can also lay your herbs on a screen to dry.