I cannot grow Thyme!
jwahlton
13 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (20)
leira
13 years agojwahlton
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Please help me grow Thyme
Comments (30)Well, this is the time of year when thyme plants start to struggle here because they hate the humidity+heat. I harvested a nice bounty from my in ground plants at the end of April, and now my plants are starting to look a bit ratty too. But I am trying an experiment. I love lemon thyme & it is hard to find. Only place I've found it is from one vendor at the yearly Leu Garden spring plant sale. I talked with him for a bit, and he recommended that I put my plant in the full sun. I bought a big plant, and it had enough spots on the side that had touched down and rooted that I was able to separate off about 6 baby plants. I planted the mother plant in full sun as the grower suggested. I planted the baby plants in a variety of locations, from a pot kept on my window sill at work to various levels of shade/sun and moisture in my yard. So far the score is: Mother plant in ground in full sun, mulched - in best shape & in bloom Baby plant in ground, in full sun, no mulch - second best looking Baby plants in both pots & ground in 50-80% shade with ample water - ok, but not as good as the ones in sun Baby plant in ground in 50% shade in very dry soil (from competing tree roots) - not doing as well, is drought stressed Baby plant in pot on office window sill - saddest of all, very spindly, because it isn't light enough. But alive. It will be interesting to see what the score is by the end of summer....See Morehow best to grow thyme
Comments (13)English Thyme, Thymus 'Broad-leaf English', cannot be grown from seed. Seeds available commercially are either creeping thyme, Thymus pulegioides (offered erroneously as T. serpylum), or Thymus vulgaris (French Thyme, Winter thyme, German thyme). Most likely if a packet of seeds says it is English thyme it will turn out to be French thyme. I frequently see French thyme sold as English in nurseries. Nearly all other species and cultivars must be grown from cuttings. English thyme is mostly upright (not creeping but mature plants can be somewhat procumbent). The leaves are flat and ovoid. English thyme is similar in appearance to, although still distinguishable from, Green Lemon Thyme (T. xcitriodorus). It tends to flower in late spring/early summer for me. French thyme (T. vulgaris) is typically more upright, although it can be somewhat lax under shadier conditions It has smaller, narrower leaves that come to a point at the end. French thyme leaf edges are revolute-that is, the leaf edge appears to roll under if you look at them very closely. It also flowers in early spring for me. Regular watering of thyme in my climate (hot and humid summers, 40 inches of rain per year) and soil (clay) equals a quick death. Even when I grow them in a small pot, I make sure they are thoroughly dry before watering them. I have several thymes (French, English, and several creeping types) that are well over 5 years old in the ground that overwinter without protection. The ones with the best drainage live the longest. I'm sure that thyme grown in sandy soil or drier climate would tolerate more water. I also use light colored gravel as a mulch. I consider thyme to be hardier than the hardiest rosemary varieties ('Arp' 'Madeline Hill', 'Alba', 'Dutch Mill'). F. DeBaggio...See MoreTrouble growing Thyme
Comments (3)Potting soil, is NOT for starting seeds. It can contain all kinds of nasty stuff that seeds and young seedlings cannot fend off. Damping off, as mentioned in another thread is the most common of issues. Try a seed starting medium that is soilless and sterile. The seeds can be planted just an 1/8 inch deep. ALl them plenty of light and water lightly to avoid soak. Seed starting medium is light, airy, and will not clump up. These characteristics are very important when startin from seeds. I started thyme last year spring and by June, it was planted outside. Today is 2-3 times bigger than last year, and its all flowering right now. Using what I recommend will give you much healthier seedlines. I also start in trays with individual 2x2 inch pots and a clear plastc dome cover for the first few weeks, until they leaves touch the clear plstic dome. Then its removed and the indoor plant growing lights are on it from 7AM to 11PM....See Morelemon thyme, wooly thyme or any thyme as groundcover?
Comments (4)Thanks Weldon. When you say it doesn't grow very fast, do you mean up or out? I've read planting recommendations of 12" apart. Do you think it would fill in fairly quickly?...See Moreflora_uk
13 years agojwahlton
13 years agoltcollins1949
13 years agofatamorgana2121
13 years agoCA Kate z9
13 years agojwahlton
13 years agoshebear
13 years agoopal52
13 years agoseysonn
13 years agojwahlton
13 years agocindyaweir
9 years agobluegirl_gw
9 years agoRachel Cederborg
8 years agoLinda Adkins
8 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years agozippity1
8 years agosam millner
3 years ago
Related Stories
EDIBLE GARDENSHerb Garden Essentials: How to Grow Thyme
Common thyme and its flavorful cousins are anything but ordinary in the garden
Full StorySUMMER GARDENINGHow to Grow Basil
Bright color, quick growth and endless uses for cooking make this summer annual a winner in the garden or a pot
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHerb Garden Essentials: Grow Your Own Delicious Mint
Pull out a pot for this one. Mint's spreading habit and hard-to-kill nature can be a blessing — if you're properly prepared
Full StoryCOOL-SEASON CROPSCool-Season Vegetables: How to Grow Salad Greens
From arugula to radicchio, greens have taken a top spot on the table and in fall and winter gardens. See how to start growing them now
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARD10 Easy Edibles to Grow in Containers
These herbs, vegetables and fruits are just as happy in a pot as they are in the ground
Full StoryHERBSHow to Grow Herbs Indoors
Have a sunny window? Enjoy the flavor of fresh herbs year-round by growing them in the house
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGrow a Beautiful Fall Garden in a Pot
Welcome autumn with 7 gorgeous plants that thrive in containers and enliven your porch or patio throughout the cooler season
Full StoryCURB APPEALHow to Make a Window Garden Grow
Get the scoop on materials, installation, plantings and more to bring the charming look of window boxes to your home
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENS8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed
Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring
Full StoryLIFEYou Said It: ‘What Will You Grow?’ and More Houzz Quotables
Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week
Full Story
spotalbert