About
A bushy, dwarf, evergreen shrub up to 30cm tall and 40cm wide; with small, linear to ovate, aromatic, dark grey-green leaves, and terminal spikes of small, whorled, white or pink flowers in early summer. Thyme is a popular culinary herb, with various cultivars available. The flowers are favoured by bees and other pollinators.
About the genus
Thymus are evergreen woody-based perennials, shrub or sub-shrubs with small aromatic leaves and terminal whorls of small, 2-lipped, tubular, purple, pink or white flowers in late spring or summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Herbs - Culinary
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toW Mediterranean
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationDrought-tolerant once established, common thyme is easy to grow in most well-drained, alkaline to neutral soils in full sun. See thyme cultivation for further advice.
PruningCut back in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed, by division or plant rooted basal stem cuttings in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free