With its warm fragrance and pretty little leaves, thyme would be a welcome addition to your outdoor space even if it wasn’t edible. As well as looking lovely, this garden herb will give you loads of leaves you can use in all sorts of cooking, especially mediterranean dishes. 

Because it’s from the Mediterranean, thyme likes conditions that are sunny and dry. Give it the brightest spot available and only water it when the soil is properly dry. Much better to water too little than too much.

It doesn’t enjoy wet, cold weather, so in winter you could bring it inside, put it somewhere warm and bright and keep enjoying it all year. Or you could replace it outside each year. Because it likes such dry conditions, it’s best to keep it in a pot on its own, or potted with other herbs that like dry soil, like oregano. 

Trim leaves off as and when you need them. It should flower in summer, which will attract pollinators. Once the flowers have wilted, trim them off to encourage new growth. It’s important to keep trimming your plant to stop it becoming woody. You don’t need to be delicate about trimming. Just chop it back as you wish.

After a year, you should be able to split your plant into multiple smaller, potted plants, giving you even more thyme.  It’s really easy to do. Follow our guide here. And don’t forget potting soil for the new plants.

Did you know?

Thyme oil is naturally antiseptic and is often used in mouthwashes.