Thymus vulgaris
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- THY-muss vul-GAIR-iss
- Description
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Thymus vulgaris, commonly referred to as common thyme, is an herbaceous perennial that is primarily grown for culinary use. It is categorized as a subshrub due to its bushy form and semi-woody base. Growing up to 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide, common thyme has small purple to white flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. It is native to southern Europe and northern Africa where it prefers full sun and well-drained soils.
Common thyme is a low-maintenance herb but has a tendency to spread. To reduce woody growth, it should be cut back in early spring. Even when pruned it may become woody after a number of years. Thyme also transplants fairly easily and should be done so in early spring. Thymus vulgaris makes a great addition to a pollinator garden as its flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. In the landscape, common thyme works well for herb gardens, rock gardens, and as an aromatic groundcover.
The genus Thymus is derived from the Greek word thyo meaning to perfume. In Latin, vulgaris means common or usual.
Quick ID Hints:
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Linear leaves are ¼”-½” long, have fine hairs, and are very fragrant
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Small purple/white pedicellate flowers that occur along a raceme
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Bushy subshrub with a woody base, growing up to 1 foot tall
Pests, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Overwatering can lead to botrytis and root rot, especially in soils with low drainage such as clay.
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- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Herb & Flower Cottage Garden Pollinator and Culinary Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Clean Gold'
- 'Clean Gold'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Clean Gold'
- 'Clean Gold'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Thymus
- Species:
- vulgaris
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Thymus vulgaris has been cultivated since ancient times for religious, medicinal, and culinary purposes.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Europe and Northern Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar from the flowers attracts bees and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Edibility:
- Leaves in tea, as flavoring
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small white to purple flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. Tubular petals and protruding stamens occur on the racemes.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Linear
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Small linear to ovate leaves that are 1/4"-1/2" in length. Leaves are very fragrant and have fine hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are semi-woody.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Salt
