Easy Herb Safe for pets

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

A small Mediterranean aromatic subshrub with tiny evergreen leaves, a cornerstone of Provençal cuisine and herbes de Provence.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Full sun
Humidity

30–50 %
Temperature

5–30 °C

How to care for your Thyme

Everything you need to keep your Thyme healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Common thyme is a small woody subshrub native to the western Mediterranean basin, where it grows wild on dry, limestone hillsides. Its tiny evergreen leaves, grey-green and highly aromatic, concentrate essential oils with recognized antiseptic properties. In spring, it covers itself with small pink to lilac flowers that are highly attractive to bees. An exceptionally hardy plant, it can withstand cold down to -15°C and only requires well-drained soil and sunshine.

Watering your Thyme

Every 7 days

Water sparingly, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. Thyme is very drought-tolerant and susceptible to root rot caused by excess water.

How to know it needs water

Substrate completely dry
Plant appears slightly wilted
Pot feels very light

How much light a Thyme needs

Full sun

Full sun, at least 6 hours of direct light per day. Essential for fully developing its aromas.

Direct sun tolerated: 6 to 12 h a day
Orientations that suit it: South-east, South, South-west, East, West

Humidity and misting

30–50 %

30–50% No misting necessary. Thyme is a garrigue plant that prefers dry air and good ventilation.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 90 days

Fertilize very little, at most twice a year. Thyme develops a better aroma in poor soil. Excess fertilizer produces soft, weakly fragrant growth.

Recommended feed: Very dilute organic fertilizer or light compost. · 5-10-10

Repotting your Thyme

Every 24 months

Use a very well-draining substrate: compost mixed in equal parts with coarse sand or perlite. Prefer a terracotta pot to encourage evaporation.

When: Spring (March–April)
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coarse sand

The tell-tale signs

Plant becoming bare in the centre
Roots completely colonising the pot
Vigour decreasing despite good care

Pruning your Thyme

After flowering in late spring and lightly in autumn. Thyme regenerates better when pruned regularly. Cut back flowering stems by a third without touching the old woody wood. Thyme does not regenerate easily from old stems. Harvest whole sprigs by cutting the young shoots.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 13 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

11 J
8 F
6 M
6 A
6 M
6 J
6 J
6 A
7 S
8 O
11 N
13 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Ancient Egyptians used thyme in the mummification process due to its powerful antiseptic properties.
In the Middle Ages, ladies embroidered a sprig of thyme on their knight's scarf because the plant symbolized courage.

Frequently asked questions about the Thyme

How do you care for a Thyme?

Water it every 7 days. Give it full sun. Ideal humidity: 30–50 %. Ideal temperature: 5–30 °C. Water sparingly, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. Thyme is very drought-tolerant and susceptible to root rot caused by excess water.

How often should you water a Thyme?

Every 7 days Water sparingly, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. Thyme is very drought-tolerant and susceptible to root rot caused by excess water. How to know it needs water : Substrate completely dry ; Plant appears slightly wilted ; Pot feels very light.

How much light does a Thyme need?

Full sun Full sun, at least 6 hours of direct light per day. Essential for fully developing its aromas. 6 to 12 h a day

Is the Thyme toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Thyme is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Thyme leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Thyme?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring (march–april). Use a very well-draining substrate: compost mixed in equal parts with coarse sand or perlite. Prefer a terracotta pot to encourage evaporation.