Thymus vulgaris
Common thyme
- Height × spread
- 0.15m × 0.1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Generally available in Spring & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This bushy little thyme is used a great deal in cooking. It has oval-shaped, dark green leaves and rounded heads of small, lilac pink flowers in June and July. There is said to be a link, in popular culture, between thyme and murder, Josephine Addison, author of <I>Plant Lore</I>, notes that tales are told of the scent of thyme hanging in the air where a violent death has occurred. It is also possible to make a herbal tea from the leaves to ease headaches and to act as a general pick-me-up.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Pink, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.15m
- Spread
- 0.1m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Rock garden, Mediterranean garden, Herb garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Deer resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Rabbits
- Rabbits generally ignore
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer · Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has finished flowering, cut the trailing stems back by half their length or more to retain a compact and appealing habit.
Found in
More Thymus
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Thymus Coccineus Group
Creeping red thyme, Creeping thyme, Wild thyme, English thyme
Thymus cilicicus
Cilicia thyme