Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Thymus vulgaris or Common Thyme

The genus Thymus, family Lamiaceae, includes 350 species of perennials and shrubs native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Some species are: Thymus vulgaris, Thymus lanuginosus, Thymus munbyanus, Thymus pulegioides, Thymus willdenowii, Thymus praecox.

Common names: Common Thyme, Garden thyme, German thyme or Wild Thyme. This species is native to southern Europe.

They are evergreen subshrubs with a creeping bearing that reach 40 cm (15.7") in height. The aromatic leaves are oblong-lanceolate, greyish in color and with a folded margin. The numerous small white or pink flowers appear in whorls at the ends of the branches. They bloom in spring and early summer. Thyme has antiseptic, digestive, balsamic and spectorant properties.

Common Thyme is used in rockeries, on dry and stony slopes, in low-maintenance areas of the garden and in pots for terraces, balconies and patios. It's used as a condiment in cooking and in the pharmaceutical industry to obtain thymol.

Thymus vulgaris needs full sun exposure and a warm or Mediterranean climate. It resists light and occasional frosts.

Garden thyme prefers a poor and stony or rocky soil.

Thymus vulgaris is a low maintenance plant that needs occasional watering in summer. It's very resistant to drought.

Wild Thyme does not need fertilizer.

Prune lightly after flowering, removing wilted flowers.

Common Thyme is a resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases.

Thymus vulgaris is propagated from seeds sown in the spring in the seedbed and by cuttings in the fall or spring.

Images of the shrub Thymus vulgaris or Common Thyme