How to Grow Thyme

How to grow
thyme

A tiny, tough perennial that asks for almost nothing β€” thyme is drought-proof, evergreen in mild climates, and endlessly useful.

A low mound of flowering thyme growing in a sunny rock garden

Thrives on neglect

Sun & drainage

Lean and dry

Like rosemary, thyme wants full sun and gritty, well-drained soil. Rich, wet soil is the only thing that kills it.

Low-effort

Barely water it

A Mediterranean native β€” it prefers to dry out. Once established it's about as low-maintenance as a plant gets.

Harvest anytime

Snip sprigs

Take sprigs as you need them; a light trim after flowering keeps it compact and stops it going woody.

Perennial

Comes back for years

Hardy in most climates and evergreen in mild ones β€” one plant gives you flavour year-round, for years.

Bonus: flowering thyme is a magnet for bees, and the herb dries beautifully β€” hang a few sprigs and you have seasoning all winter from a plant that needs almost no care.

The blueprint we started with

For herbs plus the whole backyard food plan, The most complete beginner's manual we've found is The Self-Sufficient Backyard β€” Ron & Johanna Melchiore's 40 years off-grid distilled into food, water, power and 75+ DIY projects. Our honest take:

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