Also known as Thyme · 1.6k saves
Thymus
Thymus, the genus most gardeners know as thyme. We track 25 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 23 most-saved Thymus varieties
See all 25 Thymus varieties →Search this genus →
5 species of Thymus
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Thymus in Sow
Save the Thymus you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Thymus
Whats common across all Thymus varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 25 most-grown of them.
The Thymus year
- PruneJuly and August96% of varieties
Shear lightly after flowering to maintain a dense, tidy mat
- HarvestMay–October68% of varieties
Harvest stems and leaves throughout the season, best before flowering
- Spring CleanupMarch52% of varieties
Rake out any dead patches or winter debris
- PlantApril, May and October48% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in well-drained soil
- DivideApril and October44% of varieties
Divide every 3-5 years if the center becomes woody or sparse
Do
- Water moderately, allowing soil to dry between watering 🌱
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Provide full sun for optimal growth
- Prune after flowering to encourage bushiness
- Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
- Don’t plant in poorly drained soil
What goes wrong with Thymus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Spray with a strong jet of water and apply insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on undersides of leaves | Spray with miticide or insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting and brown roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply organic fungicide and improve airflow |
| Root Rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves, soft roots | Improve drainage, reduce watering, remove infected parts |
Making more Thymus
Cuttings
- Take 3-inch cuttings in late summer
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in well-drained soil
- Keep moist for 4 weeks
Seed
- Sow seeds on soil surface in early spring
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks
- Thin seedlings to 3 inches apart
Thymus questions
How many types of Thymus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 25 distinct Thymus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.6k real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Thymus grow in?
Across its varieties, Thymus covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Thymus bloom?
Most Thymus varieties bloom in early summer, late spring, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Thymus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.