Thyme is a low-growing, woody perennial herb that will grow in any garden. It is available in both upright and trailing varieties, so there is one to fit almost any situation and design. Thyme grows well in areas that are too dry and poor for many other plants.
Can thyme survive winter?
Tender outdoor herbs
Herbs like bay, sage and thyme are hardy enough to survive the winter outside, but will not grow. If you want to harvest from them, protect them against the coldest weather. You can move plants into a coldframe, or an unheated greenhouse or conservatory.
Should thyme be cut back every year?
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.
How long does thyme plant last?
Thyme is a perennial herb that often only lives for 5 or 6 years even with good care. After 3 years thyme plants growth tends to slow down and produce less leaves with a weak aroma and inferior flavour compared to younger thyme plants.
Where is thyme perennial?
Outdoors, German thyme is perennial in zones 5 to 9, lemon thyme in zones 7 to 9. Easy to grow, thyme needs little care except for a regular light pruning after the first year. Do this after the last spring frost, so that the plants do not get woody and brittle.
How do you winterize thyme?
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.
Should you cut back thyme in winter?
Cut off the top third of the stems before the first frost to prepare for winter. Do this all-over pruning about 1 month before the first frost is expected to give the plant time to heal and slow its growth before winter. Use small garden shears or scissors to remove only the soft, green stems from the plant.
Does thyme need full sun?
Thyme needs a warm, sunny position. The more sun it receives, the stronger the flavours. It is fairly drought tolerant and needs a well-drained, preferably alkaline, soil. It will grow well in fairly poor, even stony, soil.
How do you keep thyme plant alive?
Plant thyme in free-draining soil or compost, and water in. Once established, you won’t need to water your thyme plants. Thyme thrives in almost drought conditions with minimal soil nutrients, so it won’t grow happily alongside other herbs in a mixed container.
How do you maintain thyme?
How to Cultivate Thyme
- Soil: Plant thyme in well-drained soil with an optimal pH between 6.0 and 8.0.
- Sun: Thyme needs a growing area with plenty of sunlight.
- Water: Most varieties of thyme are drought-resistant, so only give a thorough watering, when the soil is completely dry.
Will thyme come back year after 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.
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.
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 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.
Is thyme invasive?
Thyme can be easily propagated by getting healthy and mature stems, cuttings or divisions from a mature, healthy and well established plant. Read more. Choosing the right spot for planting our thymes is important, as it is a highly invasive plant that can extend to unwanted parts of our property.
Is rosemary a perennial?
Rosemary is aromatic herb that grows as a perennial evergreen shrub, typically hardy to zone 7 in the US.
How cold can thyme tolerate?
Culinary or English thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is hardy to zone 4 (temperatures down to -30 degrees F.).
What herbs will survive winter?
Cold-hardy herbs, such as chives, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme, can often survive cold-winter temperatures while continuing to produce flavorful foliage, as long as they are provided with some protection or grown indoors.
Can 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.
What happens 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 use thyme when it flowers?
And yes, Julie, do eat the thyme flowers: they are perfectly edible and very pretty.