What hardiness zones is Thymus vulgaris suitable for?

Thymus vulgaris is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

What are the sun requirements for Thymus vulgaris?

Thymus vulgaris requires Full Sun.

How much water does Thymus vulgaris need?

Thymus vulgaris has Low water needs.

Herbs

Thymus vulgaris

Thyme

Lamiaceae

Western Mediterranean (southern France, Spain, Italy); rocky, dry scrubland and garrigue

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitMounding

FoliageSemi-evergreen

Height6–12 inches (15–30 cm)

Width12–18 inches (30–45 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 10

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

Zone 10

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (strong)

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Thymus vulgaris is a low-growing, woody-based perennial herb native to the western Mediterranean. Plants reach 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) tall and 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) wide; growth rate is slow to moderate. The habit is spreading to mounding, with slender, upright to semi-prostrate stems that become woody at the base with age. Leaves are very small, 0.1–0.3 inch (3–8 mm) long, oval to linear, dark gray-green to olive-green, with rolled margins and a dense covering of fine hairs; the glands produce a pungent, warm, aromatic scent when leaves are crushed. Flowers appear in May–July in small clusters at stem tips: tubular, two-lipped, lavender-pink to pale purple, 0.1–0.2 inch (3–5 mm) long, densely produced on short spikes. Flavor and oil content are highest just before peak bloom. Plants are partially evergreen in Pacific Northwest winters — stems may die back in severe cold but regenerate from the base. Performance depends strongly on drainage; plants decline rapidly in waterlogged or compacted soils.

Native Range

Thymus vulgaris is native to the western Mediterranean — primarily southern France, Spain, and Italy — in rocky, dry scrubland, garrigue, and open hillsides at low to moderate elevations. It is not native to the Pacific Northwest.

Suggested Uses

Grown in herb gardens, rock gardens, raised beds, and container plantings for culinary harvest. The small scale and spreading habit suit edges, cracks in paving, and low border plantings. A 6–8-inch (15–20 cm) container is sufficient for patio use. Lavender-pink flowers attract bees throughout the summer bloom period.

How to Identify

Thymus vulgaris is identified by its low, woody-based, spreading habit; very small, gray-green to olive-green, strongly aromatic leaves 0.1–0.3 inch (3–8 mm) with rolled margins; lavender-pink to pale purple tubular flowers in dense clusters at stem tips in May–July; and the distinctive warm, pungent thyme scent when leaves are crushed. Distinguished from Origanum by the much smaller leaves and lower, more shrubby habit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

lavender

purple

pink

Foliage Colors

gray green

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

SpringSummer

Lavender-pink to pale-purple tubular flowers, 0.1–0.2 inch (3–5 mm) long, appear in dense clusters at stem tips from May through July. Individual flowers are two-lipped and heavily visited by bees. The bloom period lasts 4–6 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

lavender-pink to pale purple

Foliage Description

dark gray-green to olive-green, very small, strongly aromatic

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1–2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained to dry, lean soil; sharp drainage is essential — plants decline rapidly in waterlogged, high-fertility, or heavily amended soils. Water weekly until established; once established, drought-tolerant. Avoid overhead irrigation in humid conditions, which encourages fungal rot at the base. Cut back by one-third to one-half in early spring to remove winter damage and stimulate fresh growth. Harvest stems frequently — regular harvesting maintains vegetative growth. Divide every 2–3 years to renew vigor as plants become woody and open at the center.

Pruning

Cut back by one-third in early spring before new growth to remove winter-killed tips. Shear lightly after flowering in summer. Do not cut into old woody stems without green growth — plants may not regenerate from bare wood. Replace plants every 3–4 years as they become excessively woody.

Pruning Schedule

early springsummer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

transplant

Indoor Start

8 weeks before last frost

Days to Maturity

80–90 days

Plant Spacing

10 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

tomatoes

eggplant

cabbage

broccoli

roses