Thyme [Thymus vulgaris]

Perennial thyme is a herb cultivated for cooking which has the typical aroma that is well known today and is used in Mediterranean cuisine. Easy to care for, robust, heat-tolerant, hardy and therefore suitable for very hot and dry as well as cold locations. Ideal for direct sowing or for pre-cultivation, pot culture possible, sowing spring-summer, good for mixed culture, harvesting the leaves.

 Description 
Thyme is an old cultivated plant, an evergreen and perennial spice and medicinal herb that was already cultivated and used in ancient Greece. The cultivated plant grows wild mainly in the countries around the Mediterranean. The plant is very robust, heat-tolerant, hardy and therefore suitable for very hot and dry as well as cold locations. The easy-care plant with the typical aroma is particularly often used in Mediterranean cuisine. In medicine, it has an antispasmodic effect on the bronchi, promotes expectoration and is anti-inflammatory. However, wild thyme is preferred for medicinal use. Its flowers are an excellent pasture for bees.

 General information 
Plant family: Lamiaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 100 days
Plant height approx.: 40 cm
Root type: Deep and shallow rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to -20°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, sandy, loamy, humus, slightly calcareous

pH value: 7 to 8

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 16-20 °C
Germination time: 7-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 25x25 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Wild strawberries, Rosemary, Sage
Unfavorable mixed culture: Marigold, Basil

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing from February to September is recommended. The plants should ideally be in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from March to June is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing. Pre-cultivation is also advisable.
Thyme ideally prefers a soil that is nutrient-rich, dry to moist, permeable and sandy, containing loam and humus. It does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds or cuttings.

 Plant care 
Loosened, nutrient-rich soil is sufficient. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Thymus vulgaris
English names: Thyme
German names: Thymian
Portuguese names: Tomilho
Spanish names: Tomillo
French names: Thym

 Origin 
Country: Portugal