Like so many Mediterranean herbs, the numerous varieties of thyme also belong to the large labiate family (Lamiaceae). Anyone who wants to grow these plants should always pay attention to the special requirements of Mediterranean plants.
How should you plant and care for thyme?
Thyme plants prefer a sunny, protected location with loose, sandy soil and a pH value of 7-8. They can grow perennial, but must overwinter frost-free. When growing in beds, a planting distance of 25 x 25 cm should be maintained.
Which location does thyme prefer?
Thyme needs a location that is as sunny and protected as possible. A spot in full sun on a heat-emitting house wall or something similar is best suited, where the sensitive subshrub is adequately protected from various weather influences. By the way, thyme – like all Mediterranean herbs – is only partially hardy.
Is thyme annual or perennial?
Thyme (botanically thymus) is also a perennial subshrub that becomes woody with age. However, in our latitudes, thymes generally do not grow particularly old; unless you really care for your herbs optimally and overwinter them appropriately.
What should the earth be like?
The hunger artist thyme needs soil that is as loose and sandy as possible. The plant forms - typical of Mediterranean plants - a very deep taproot, with the help of which it can supply itself with sufficient water and nutrients even in very dry and nutrient-poor locations. Heavy or clayey soils, on the other hand, are not very suitable. Instead, you should pay attention to a neutral to basic pH value between 7 and 8 - this is optimal.
Can thyme also be grown on the balcony?
In a sufficiently large and deep pot, thyme can easily thrive on the balcony. However, it usually doesn't feel at home as a pure houseplant.
Planting / sowing thyme
The seeds of thyme are very fine, which is why direct sowing is not recommended - especially since it germinates in light. For this reason, you should, if possible, plant thyme on the windowsill or under glass as early as March and finally transplant the young plants into individual pots. From the end of May / beginning of June, the home-grown thyme plants can finally go into the bed. If necessary, you should prepare your garden soil accordingly beforehand, for example by mixing soil that is too rich with sand. By the way, the herb pots that are often available in the supermarket are usually not of much use; plants that are grown too quickly usually die quickly. It is better to either grow thyme yourself or buy young plants from the appropriate gardening store.
Transplanting thyme
Thyme grown in pots or balcony boxes in particular needs to be transplanted from time to time. To do this, you should carefully lift the plant and all of its roots out of the plant container that has become too small. Thyme planted in the garden should be cut out over as large an area as possible so that no roots are damaged.
At what distance should thyme be planted?
A planting distance of 25 x 25 centimeters is optimal.
When can you harvest?
You can harvest thyme all year round. To do this, simply cut off the young leaves in the required quantity.
Dry/freeze thyme
The spicy leaves – only harvest the young ones! – can be easily frozen. Shortly before flowering, you can also cut off entire stems and hang them up to dry.
Tips & Tricks
The Mediterranean herb goes well with other Mediterranean herbs, such as rosemary, oregano, lavender or sage. But ornamental grasses and ornamental onion plants also harmonize very well.
