THYME

Pretty Chill

Black sun icon with rays on a white background

Full Sunlight

Keep Soil Dry

Pet Safe

FULL SUNLIGHT

Thyme tolerates full sun well, but can also benefit from a bit of afternoon shade.

If you notice thyme leaves looking withered or crispy, consider moving somewhere it can get a break from harsh afternoon sun.

6+ HOURS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY

In lower light conditions, thyme can become leggy, pale, and lose its bright flavor.

Cartoon sun character holding a flower and a potted plant with a cloud in the background.

FIND YOUR LIGHT

Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.

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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹

EAST-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants

WEST-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹

⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants

NORTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹

⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!

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KEEP SOIL DRY

This is drought-tolerant plant, so you can go longer periods without watering and it will still thrive.

Water thyme when its soil is nearly bone dry. Give it a thorough soak, ensuring it has good drainage. It is better to keep it underwatered than keeping it in soggy soil!

Overwatering and/or poor drainage can quickly lead to root rot and other issues.

LOW HUMIDITY

Indoor humidity should be fine as long as it is not crowded with other plants. Too much moisture in the air or around the base of the plant can lead to fungal issues.

Cartoon water droplet character with a watering can and flowers on a white background

SOIL

THYME DIGS A DRY AND ROCKY MIX

When choosing a potting mix for this herb, look for mixes that include:

Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

Small white pot filled with soil and small white stones on a wooden surface

Looks like gritty and chunky beach sand. Like perlite, it improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

Cartoon pot with face holding a trowel, surrounded by plants and flowers on a white background

HARVESTING

ALWAYS USE CLEAN SCISSORS OR HANDS

You can start harvesting thyme when it is about 4 to 6 inches tall and has a several stems of mature growth.

Try to harvest every 1 to 2 weeks or as needed to prevent it from getting too scraggly and bare. Light, consistent keeps its leaves flavorful and neat.

IDENTIFY THE PRUNING SPOT

Snip off stems just above a pair of leaves, ideally from the top third of the plant. This is where the fresh, green growth is. Avoid cutting from the hardened, woody stem as it may not regrow from that point.

Cutting the soft, fresh stems not only gives you peak flavor, it also encourages the herb to keep growing!

You can gently strip the leaves off the stem with your fingers, but thyme will not regrow leaves on bare stems. It’s important to snip away whole green stems to encourage new growth.

REMOVE FLOWER BUDS

Snip off flower buds as they appear or try to harvest leaves before thyme begins to flower (bolt). Once it has flowered, the herb will slow down leaf growth and they may taste bitter.

Feel free to keep it flowering for pollinators or to collect seeds!

COMMON ISSUES

YELLOWING

A sign of overwatering or poor drainage of the pot. Soil that remains soggy can lead to root rot. Remember, thyme prefers drier conditions.

Remove affected leaves. Dry out soil completely (1-5 days). Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.

If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.

TWIGGY and SPARSE

Likely due to not enough sunlight or harvesting/pruning.

Move to full sun! Make sure to trim the tips lightly and regularly (every 2 weeks or so).

WEAK GROWTH or FLAVOR

Often due to low light, overwatering or not harvesting enough.

The keys to flavorful thyme:

Lots of sunshine
Water when soil is completely dry
Regular pruning

SPOTS ON LEAVES

Likely a sign of a fungal problem due to high humidity or low airfow.

Remove affected leaves.

Try to keep thyme dry and out of direct moisture. Only water at the base of the plant, ensuring its leaves do not get wet.

Provide better air circulation by not crowding it with other plants. Keep it in a cool, dry area.

PESTS