Thyme is not only used as a spice in the kitchen, but also in natural medicine. We have a few tips for growing and caring for you.
The common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is counted among the labiate plants. It is a species-rich genus, which is used as a medicinal and spice plant. Originally from the Mediterranean region, thyme is now also widespread in Asia and North Africa.
In the Middle Ages, common thyme found its way across the Alps to our monastery gardens. Today, the intensely fragrant perennials should not be missing in any herb bed. Thyme spreads Mediterranean flair and is a popular bee pasture.
Small description of plants
| Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 10 - 30 cm |
| Flowering: | May - October |
| Plant Supplies: | 25 cm planting distance |
| Usage: | Herb bed, herb pots, windowsill, patio |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry, well drained, low nutrient requirement |
The common thyme grows as a perennial or semi-shrub and reaches a height of between 20 and 40 centimeters. The plants can branch out and become woody. The home of the common thyme is on the western Mediterranean.
The plants only grow wild in warm regions such as the southern side of the Alps. The warmth-loving thyme has also been naturalized in some climatically favorable regions of Germany. Between May and October the small white, red or purple flowers become visible. Round nut fruits are formed.
Use and benefits
Thyme is a popular spice used in Mediterranean cuisine to refine meat and fish dishes, soups and sauces. True thyme is rich in essential oils and is important in folk medicine as an antispasmodic for diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Inflammation in the mouth and throat can be relieved by gargling with thyme. The essential oils of common thyme can also be helpful for digestive problems and skin disorders.
Plant real thyme
Find the right location
The Mediterranean plant loves a warm and full sun location. The real thyme likes to be protected, for example in the shade of a house wall. The plant is also an enrichment as a path border or in herb spirals. Thyme, the child of the sun, will not do as well in shady locations.
Selecting the ideal substrate
The common thyme can also adapt to rather unfavorable soil conditions. The soil may be rocky and dry. Barren soils are ideal for the robust plant. The permeability of the soil is important, because thyme develops a taproot that extends far into the ground. As a result, the plants have adapted to their natural environment and ensure the supply of moisture and nutrients.
Thyme can also cope with prolonged drought. The plant does not do well in heavy or particularly loamy soils. These should be loosened up before planting and made more permeable by adding grit or sand. This also allows the water to drain better. The biggest enemy of real thyme is waterlogging. A permeable soil allows the water to drain off better.
If you want to be on the safe side, you should check the pH of the soil. Appropriate tests are available in hardware stores. Thyme prefers neutral to basic soil. A pH between 7 and 8 is ideal. Acidic soil is not ideal.
Tip: If the ground is covered with moss, this indicates a moist and usually acidic environment.
Planting instructions - step by step
1. Select location
2. Prepare soil
3. Dig planting hole
4. Insert plant
5. Close planting hole
6. Press soil7. Water the plant
Thyme grown in pots can be planted between spring and autumn on any frost-free day. Thyme plants should be planted 25 centimeters apart. The plants are placed as deep in the ground as they were in the planter beforehand.
Tip: Thyme is compatible with all Mediterranean herbs, but should not have marjoram as a direct plant neighbor.
The common thyme can also be cultivated in a planter on the balcony or terrace without any problems. A sunny location should also be given here. In the planter, it is particularly important to ensure that the soil is permeable enough and that there is noWaterlogging forms. Commercial herbal soil usually offers the right conditions.
An overview of the most important planting tips
| Care measure | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Select Location | • sunny • warm • sheltered |
| Prepare the ground | • permeable • nutrient-rich • calcareous |
| planting | • keep planting distance • do not plant next to marjoram • pot culture possible |
Experience biodiversity
Thymes are very species-rich plants. In addition to the common thyme, there are more than 200 other species. Differences in growth, shape and color of the leaves and also in taste become clear. If you rely on different types of thyme, you can get variety in the herb garden.
Here are three examples for you:
Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) © sloone / stock.adobe.com
Lemon thyme is characterized by an intense lemon aroma. There are different subspecies. The ornamental form has green-yellow mottled leaves. Lemon thyme grows a little lower than common thyme, but also produces shoots that are more than 30 centimeters long. Upright forms are common, as are ground covers. Winter protection is necessary for lemon thyme in our latitudes.
Field thyme (Thymus Pulegioides) © vodolej / stock.adobe.com
This is a wild cushion perennial. The field thyme grows about ten centimeters high and has smooth green-grey leaves. The violet flowers can be admired until September. Field thyme is robust and hardy, but lags behind the common thyme in terms of aroma.
Cascade thyme (Thymus Longicaulisssp. Odoratus) © Eberhard / stock.adobe.com
This variety grows particularly quickly. The shoots can sprout about 25 centimeters long. The plant, also known as porcini thyme, forms dense carpets and flowers between May and July. Due to the hanging shoots, this thyme species is particularly suitable for planting in balcony boxes.
Caring for real thyme
Watering real thyme correctly
Thyme survives long periods of drought without any problems. Since water is constantly evaporated through the leaves, thyme should not dry out if possible. Water occasionally on hot summer days.
Tip: The plant should not dry out even in winter. Therefore, watering is occasionally carried out on frost-free days.
If the common thyme loses its leaves, this is an indication of watering errors. Then either too little or too much was poured.
Fertilize real thyme correctly
Regular fertilization is not necessary for frugal thyme. It is sufficient to work some compost or horn shavings into the soil when planting. As a rule, the natural condition of the soil is sufficient for thyme plants.
Does the common thyme have to be cut?
Pruning in spring stimulates the growth of the common thyme. For this purpose, the plant is shortened by about a third. After flowering, the shoot tips should be cut off.
The ideal time for pruning coincides with the harvest, which should be done just before flowering. The pruning is done up to the old wood. A few buds should remain on the stems to allow the plant to sprout again.
No pruning should be done in autumn. The plant cannot close the wounds in time and there is a risk of frost damage.
Tip: Thyme should be cut regularly. Otherwise the plant threatens to wilt.
An overview of the most important care tips:
| Care measure | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casting | • water occasionally • tolerates prolonged drought • avoid waterlogging |
| Fertilize | • low nutrient requirements • compost in spring • incorporate horn shavings into the soil |
| Cut | • Cut back in spring • Cut back into old wood • Regular cut protects against bare |
Propagating real thyme correctly
Hobby gardeners have several options for propagating thyme:
Propagation by seed
Many thyme species make it easy for you because they sow themselves. Rearing from seed is easy. It is recommended to prefer the plants on the windowsill in pots. This can happen as early as March.Direct sowing is more problematic, because the particularly fine thyme seeds could easily be carried away by the windwill. Since these are light germinators, the seeds are not covered with soil, but only lightly pressed.
The seeds start to germinate after about ten days. From May the seedlings are separated to 20 by 20 centimetres. If no more frosts are to be expected from mid-May, the plants can move to the herb bed.
Reproduction by division
This type of propagation is done in a few simple steps and immediately gives the hobby gardener a he althy and strong plant.How to split:
- Take the mother plant out of the ground
- Check mother plant for pests or diseases
- Split Mother Plant
- plant new plants separately
A sufficiently developed mother plant is a prerequisite for division. The division means an intervention that is not coped with by young and weak plants. When dividing, make sure that there is sufficient root system on both plants.
Tip: A division should be made approximately every three years.
Propagation by cuttings
The propagation of cuttings can be tackled in early summer. Woody side shoots about ten centimeters long are cut off the well-developed plants.The side shoots must be removed so that the cutting can put its energy into developing the roots. The prepared cuttings are placed in a permeable, sandy substrate.
By covering the plant pots with a foil cover, root formation is accelerated. A successful propagation can be assumed when the first shoots appear on the cuttings.
Recognize diseases and pests on common thyme
The common thyme is a he althy and robust plant. Illnesses rarely occur. Occasionally an infestation with powdery mildew is observed. Mostly caused by mistakes in care, aphids occasionally appear.
Aphids can usually be removed with a hard jet of water. Treatment with horsetail broth has proven effective for powdery mildew.
Overwintering the common thyme properly
The common thyme is frost hardy and therefore does not necessarily need winter protection. With a covering of brushwood or leaves, the plants are protected against frost. Unprotected plants react with leaf fall.
If the common thyme is cultivated in a tub, the planters should be moved to a bright and frost-free winter quarters indoors.
Harvest real thyme
Thyme can be harvested at any time. Ideally, the harvest should be combined with the annual pruning in early summer. Thyme freezes very well. For drying, the shoots are cut off and placed next to each other in boxes.
For drying, the shoots can also be tied together and hung upside down. Drying should take place in a shady and dry place, preferably in attics or garages.
Tip: For quick drying, simply place the thyme sprigs in the oven and dry at a temperature of 50 degrees for about two hours.