Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Thyme — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Thymus vulgaris |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 14–28 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–23.9 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 90–110 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 20.3–30.5 |
| Mature height (cm) | 15.2–30.5 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 5–9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | indoor-start |
Growing directions
Thyme is a hardy, low perennial with tiny fragrant leaves that season soups, roasts, and sauces and also make an aromatic groundcover. Surface sow the very fine seed indoors and leave it uncovered under light, keeping it just barely moist until it sprouts. Transplant into lean, sharply drained soil in full sun, where it develops the best flavor and resists rot. Trim plants after flowering to keep them tidy, and harvest sprigs anytime through the growing season.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0