Plant thyme in spring after the soil warms, at the same depth it grew in the pot.
Plant in spring after the soil warms, at the same depth as the pot
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Spring, after frost, once the ground has warmed | Do not set a tender start into cold, wet clay |
| Depth | Crown at the same height it grew in the nursery pot | Do not bury the stems |
| Spacing | Kitchen mounds 12 to 24 inches apart | Do not crowd culinary plants into a wet strip |
| Soil | Ground that already drains | Do not plant in a winter-wet low spot |
Set plants in spring after frost, in ground that already drains. Keep the crown at the same depth it grew in the nursery pot. [1] common thyme and lemon thyme take that same spring set. A walkable mat between stones is a different plant-out on How to Grow Creeping Thyme.
When should I plant thyme outside?
In spring after frost, in soil that already drains. Early spring is also the usual time to move or divide a clump.
How to plant thyme
Wait for warm, draining ground, set the crown at grade, and water once to settle.
- Confirm you have a kitchen mound, not a creeping tag. If the tag only says thyme, match the habit on Types of Thyme.
- Wait until after frost, when the soil has warmed. Early spring is also the usual window to transplant or divide. [2]
- Dig a hole no deeper than the nursery root ball. Set the crown at the same height. Do not bury the stems. The ground must already drain; wet clay in the hole is the usual reason a start fails. [3]
- Space kitchen mounds 12 to 24 inches apart, depending on the variety. Poor drainage through winter shortens the plant's life, so skip a low, wet bed. [4]
- Water once to settle, then let the soil dry before you water again. Sun and drain stay on How to Grow Thyme.
How far apart should I plant thyme?
Space kitchen mounds 12 to 24 inches apart. A creeping mat between stones is a tighter set on the creeping guide.
What fails at planting
Planting too deep in cold, wet soil is the usual reason a start rots. Keep the crown at grade. Do not stuff a culinary mound into a winter-wet clay hole.
If the crown sits under wet soil, lift it back to grade before the stem rots.
FAQ
Can I grow thyme from seed in the bed?
You can sow, but germination is slow and uneven. A nursery plant or a cutting is the usual start.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Old Farmer's Almanac -
https://www.almanac.com/plant/thyme - [2] North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/thymus-vulgaris/ - [3] Iowa State University Extension -
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-thyme - [4] Illinois Extension -
https://extension.illinois.edu/herbs/thyme
This note is part of Thymus Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors