How to Grow Thyme

Beginner-Friendly

Thymus vulgaris

A low-growing perennial herb ideal for borders and ground cover. Very drought-tolerant. Attracts bees.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
70–90 days
typical
Per Square Foot
4
Plant Spacing
15 cm / 6"
Sun
6+ hours
Water
0.5" / 13 mm
Fertilization
light feeder

Growing Notes

Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Perennial in zones 5–9. Excellent drainage required.

Varieties & Cultivars

6 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

Large golden-green leaves

(1)
Coffee and Cake
90–120 days Open-Pollinated

compact mound; excellent for containers; AAS winner

Height
4–8" (10–20 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.4 oz (12 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
5–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
3 years

Low-growing ground cover

(1)
Creeping Red
90–120 days Open-Pollinated

small grey-green leaves; strong thyme flavour; excellent edging plant

Height
2–4" (5–10 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.4 oz (10 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
5–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
3 years

Thymus citriodorus

(1)
Lemon
Open-Pollinated

golden-green variegated foliage

Height
6–12" (15–30 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.2 oz (5 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
5–9
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years

Thymus serpyllum

(1)
Creeping
Open-Pollinated

5-10cm tall; pink flowers; tolerates light foot traffic

Height
2–4" (5–10 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.1 oz (3 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
4–9
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years

Thymus vulgaris

(2)
English
Open-Pollinated

grey-green aromatic leaves; very cold hardy

Height
6–12" (15–30 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.2 oz (5 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
5–9
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years
German Winter
Open-Pollinated

exceptionally cold hardy; strong flavour

Height
6–12" (15–30 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.2 oz (5 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
4–9
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside thyme, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Broccoli : Thyme repels cabbage worms from brassicas
Kale : Thyme repels cabbage worms from kale
Eggplant : Thyme deters flea beetles from eggplant
Cauliflower : Thyme repels cabbage worms from cauliflower
Brussels Sprouts : Thyme repels cabbage worms and provides ground cover
Tomato : Thyme deters whiteflies from tomatoes
Strawberry : Thyme repels worms and slugs; low-growing habit complements strawberry beds
Sweet Potato : Thyme deters pests from sweet potato as aromatic ground cover
Cabbage : Thyme repels cabbage worms
Lavender : Both low-growing Mediterranean herbs; complementary pollinator attraction

Keep Apart

Square Foot Spacing

4 per sq ft

6" apart (2×2 grid)

View full spacing chart →

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