Wilder Thyme [Thymus pulegioides]

Wild thyme is a perennial wild spice and medicinal plant from the Mediterranean region. The evergreen perennial was already used in ancient Egypt for mummification and as a medicinal herb. In the 11th century, the species was spread across Europe by wandering Benedictine monks. The hardy plant has dark green, egg-shaped and broad leaves that hardly become woody. The plants form creeping runners, which is why they are often used as scented lawns and like to grow in dry, stony locations and form flat cushions. The taste is mild and very similar to Thymus vulgaris. The leaves have an aromatic scent and often turn dark red. It produces numerous pink to purple flowers that are a real delight for bees. It is an old medicinal plant from antiquity and the Middle Ages and is still preferred to thyme as medicine today. Wild thyme is particularly used for respiratory diseases - it is offered as tea, syrup, drops or as inhalation.

General information
Plant family: Lamiaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 100 days
Plant height approx.: 25 cm
Root type: Deep and shallow rooter
Nutrient requirements: Weak eater
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to -22 °C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, dry, loamy, sandy, humic, calcareous

pH value: 7 to 8

Sowing and planting information
Germ type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-22 °C
Germination time: 7-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 25x25 cm

Optimal mixed culture: -
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from February to December.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from March to June.

General
When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible thyme leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Thyme prefers a sunny location with a permeable, nutrient-rich, humus-rich and sandy loam soil. Prepare the soil with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds or cuttings.

Plant care
Regular watering causes faster growth. Beds prepared with animal manure and planting in mixed culture replace additional fertilizer.

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Thymus pulegioides
English names: Broad-leaved thyme, Wild thyme, Lemon thyme
German names: Wilder Thymian, Quendel
Portuguese names: Serpilho 
Spanish names: Thymian más salvaje
French names: Thymien sauvage