plant

Common Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Updated 9 Jun 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) — a plant, for Full sun, Low water. Companions: Cabbage, Tomato.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade
Waterlow to medium

↑ Gives back

Biomasslow
Nectarmoderate
Pollenmoderate

Companions

Through the year

Emergence

New growth emerges after the last spring frost and when soil temperatures consistently reach 5 C.

Flowering

Flowering begins as days lengthen and temperatures rise in late spring to early summer.

Harvest

Optimal harvest for culinary use is typically after flowering, throughout the summer.

Dormancy

Enters dormancy with the first autumn frosts or when temperatures consistently drop below -5 C.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalYes
Soil texturesandy, loamy
Organic matterLow
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseed, cuttings, division
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~1 yr
Self-seedingLight
Divisionspring

Wildlife & pests

Attractsbees, hoverflies, beneficial insects
Repelscabbage worm, whiteflies