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Thymus vulgaris (Common thyme)

Other names: Pot-herb thyme, Garden thyme

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Species
T. vulgaris is a low bushy shrub with small, aromatic, evergreen foliage, flowering in early summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.5 m 0.5 m 5-10 years
1 ft 1 ft 5-10 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in moist, free-draining soil in full sun.

Suggested uses

Gravel, Ground Cover, Rock, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, City, Drought Tolerant, Edging, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Flavouring food and drinks, Between paving stones, Foliage only, Bees (attract & feed bees)

UK hardiness

H5

USDA zones

Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Bushy, Spreading

Native to

Western Mediterranean

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Foliage is aromatic (thyme).

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Propagation methods

Seed, Division, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings, Root cuttings

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally disease free.

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (68)

Thymus

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Thymus (any variety)
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Thymus (any variety) Thyme (any variety)
Thymus pallasianus subsp. pallasianus
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Thymus pallasianus subsp. pallasianus Pallas thyme
Thymus 'Dartmoor'
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Thymus 'Dartmoor' Thyme 'Dartmoor'
Thymus (Coccineus Group) 'Red Elf'
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Thymus (Coccineus Group) 'Red Elf' Thyme 'Red Elf'
Thymus 'Highland Cream'
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Thymus 'Highland Cream' Thyme 'Highland Cream'
Thymus pulegioides 'Aureus'
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Thymus pulegioides 'Aureus' Golden large thyme
Thymus vulgaris 'Olde English Thyme'
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Thymus vulgaris 'Olde English Thyme' Thyme 'Olde English Thyme'
Thymus praecox 'Albiflorus'
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Thymus praecox 'Albiflorus' Thyme 'Albiflorus'
Thymus pseudolanuginosus
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Thymus pseudolanuginosus Woolly thyme
Thymus serpyllum 'Russetings'
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Thymus serpyllum 'Russetings' Creeping thyme 'Russetings'
Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz'
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Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz' Thyme 'Pink Chintz'
Thymus serpyllum
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Thymus serpyllum Thyme
Thymus 'Silver Queen'
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Thymus 'Silver Queen' Thyme 'Silver Queen'
Thymus citriodorus 'Golden Queen'
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Thymus citriodorus 'Golden Queen' Thyme 'Golden Queen'
Thymus citriodorus
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Thymus citriodorus Lemon thyme
Thymus herba-barona
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Thymus herba-barona Caraway thyme
Thymus 'Fragrantissimus'
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Thymus 'Fragrantissimus' Orange-scented thyme
Thymus serpyllum var. albus
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Thymus serpyllum var. albus White-flowered creeping thyme
Thymus Coccineus Group
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Thymus Coccineus Group Thyme Coccineus Group
Thymus serpyllum 'Minor'
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Thymus serpyllum 'Minor' Creeping thyme
Thymus pulegioides 'Bertram Anderson'
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Thymus pulegioides 'Bertram Anderson' Broad-leaved thyme 'Bertram Anderson'
Thymus (Coccineus Group) 'Purple Beauty'
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Thymus (Coccineus Group) 'Purple Beauty' Thyme 'Purple Beauty'
Thymus serpyllum 'Goldstream'
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Thymus serpyllum 'Goldstream' Creeping thyme 'Goldstream'
Thymus serpyllum 'Snowdrift'
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Thymus serpyllum 'Snowdrift' Thyme 'Snowdrift'
Thymus 'Doone Valley'
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Thymus 'Doone Valley' Doone valley thyme
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Companion plants (29)

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Oenothera tetragona
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Oenothera tetragona Narrowleaf evening primrose
Oenothera macrocarpa subsp. fremontii
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Oenothera macrocarpa subsp. fremontii Fremont's evening primrose
Oenothera speciosa 'Rosea'
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Oenothera speciosa 'Rosea' Pink Mexican evening primrose
Oenothera humifusa
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Oenothera humifusa Seabeach evening primrose
Oenothera serrulata
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Oenothera serrulata Shrubby evening primrose
Lithospermum multiflorum
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Lithospermum multiflorum Many-flowered puccoon
Oenothera hartwegii subsp. fendleri
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Oenothera hartwegii subsp. fendleri Fendler's sundrops
Oenothera drummondii
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Oenothera drummondii Beach evening primrose
Ruta graveolens (any variety)
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Ruta graveolens (any variety) Rue (any variety)
Oenothera 'Sunny Delight'
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Oenothera 'Sunny Delight' Evening primrose 'Sunny Delight'
Ruta graveolens
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Ruta graveolens Rue
Oenothera 'Lemon Drop'
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Oenothera 'Lemon Drop' Evening primrose 'Lemon Drop'
Oenothera stubbei
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Oenothera stubbei Chihuahuan primrose
Oenothera caespitosa
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Oenothera caespitosa Tufted evening primrose
Origanum laevigatum 'Hopleys'
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Origanum laevigatum 'Hopleys' Smooth oregano 'Hopleys'
Oenothera fruticosa 'Youngii'
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Oenothera fruticosa 'Youngii' Evening primrose 'Youngii'
Oenothera fruticosa subsp. glauca 'Erica Robin'
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Oenothera fruticosa subsp. glauca 'Erica Robin' Glaucous evening primrose 'Erica Robin'
Oenothera 'Apricot Delight'
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Oenothera 'Apricot Delight' Evening primrose 'Apricot Delight'
Oenothera speciosa
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Oenothera speciosa White evening primrose
Oenothera fruticosa subsp. glauca 'Sonnenwende'
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Oenothera fruticosa subsp. glauca 'Sonnenwende' Glaucous evening primrose 'Sonnenwende'
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Related content

Discuss Thymus vulgaris with other Shoot members

Thymus vulgaris

Shoot User
965 0
This dwarf, spreading, evergreen shrub originating from the Mediterranean has very small, rounded, very aromatic leaves. The plant is covered in pale pink flowers from June to September and these provide a constant attraction for bees and butterflies.
Posted: Monday 18th of May 2009 07:03 PM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 11:45 AM
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