Well, rosemary and thyme are pretty similar, right? Does that mean they can be used in place of each other?

The answer may surprise you.

Below, I describe exactly what rosemary and thyme are and what they are used for. Then I talk about the differences and similarities between them before answering the big question, can I substitute rosemary for thyme?

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What Is Rosemary?

Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb used in many dishes like soups, sauces, and roasts. It is a large, colorful plant most commonly grown in your garden. Depending on the rosemary plant, it can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and wide. The leaves are a deep green with a needle-like shape.

To learn more about rosemary, check out this article.

What Is Rosemary Used For?

Like thyme, rosemary is most commonly used in cooking. However, it has other uses as well. Some people use it to treat minor ailments like anxiety and joint pain. Some people get it just for its appearance. Still, others get it because it wards of nasty pests in your garden.

To learn more about the uses of rosemary, check out this article.

What Is Thyme?

Thyme is a small herb with clusters of small leaves growing atop a thin stem. It is very similar to other herbs like rosemary, sage, and marjoram.

Thyme is a Mediterranean herb similar to rosemary that is commonly used in cooking. It is most often used in dishes of European, British, Mediterranean, African, Latin, Central American, American, and Caribbean decent.

Cooks love to use fresh and dried thyme in their dishes, so it is commonly found in supermarkets across the globe.

Like rosemary, you can also grow your own thyme. Thyme is a very hardy herb that can be grown in the garden or your home. It’s not hard to grow, so you can easily and quickly add it to your garden. If you keep thyme indoors, it will even grow year-round so that you always have a fresh source of thyme for your dishes.

What Is Thyme Used For?

Cooking

As we said above, thyme is most often used in cooking. Cooks use it to season dishes either as a blend of other spices, or as a garnish. Thyme is very healthy and can fit into almost every person’s diet. People are very unlikely to be allergic to thyme or have any other dietary complications with it.

There are two varieties of thyme that are most commonly used in cooking: common thyme and lemon thyme. Lemon thyme looks the same as common thyme, but it smells and tastes like lemon.

Appearance

Not everyone uses thyme to cook though. Some people simply like the way it looks in their garden. For these purposes, the wooly thyme, creeping thyme, elfin thyme, and wild thyme are better, more aesthetic options.

These varieties are better suited for use in rocky terrain in your garden and don’t taste good for use in cooking.

Ancient Uses

In the past, thyme was not always used for cooking. Instead it was used as an antiseptic for embalming in Egyptian practices.

In the middle ages during the period of the Black Death, thyme was again used for its antiseptic properties. It was used to protect against infection and was used to treat skin lesions.

Roman soldiers would trade sprigs of thyme and pin it to their garments as a show of strength and bravery. They would also burn it in their homes before worshipping to clear the air.

Rosemary Vs Thyme

Similarities

Although their tastes have more differences than similarities, they do both have an earthy taste to them. If you pay attention, you’ll also notice that they both taste a bit peppery.

Appearance

The key similarity between rosemary and thyme is how they look. Particularly when they’re crushed or ground, they look almost identical.

Both herbs appear green or brown, so make sure you have your ground spices properly labeled. Even crushed leaves, where the leaves remain mostly intact, look almost identical between the two spices.

Nutrition

Both rosemary and thyme are high in Vitamin A and C, calories, fiber, calcium, potassium, and iron.

Difference Between Thyme And Rosemary

Although these two herbs are very similar, they have many differences, particularly in their flavor.

Taste

Rosemary: this herb has a woody taste to it, and it smells like pine and lemon. It is a very strong herb which is why it’s often used to ward off pests in gardens. The scent is very strong, although usually pleasant for humans.

However, if too much is used, the taste can come off bitter. Because of it’s strong taste and smell, it can easily overpower some dishes if you use too much of it.

Thyme: this herb is much more subtle in its scent and flavorings than rosemary. It’s taste is more sweet and light.

Because of its more subtle taste and smell, it can be used in almost any dish without fear of becoming overpowering. Similar to rosemary, it does have an earthy taste with hints of lemon. However, thyme also has a bit of a minty taste to it.

Nutrition

Thyme has considerably less saturated fat than rosemary, up to 5 times less. Thyme also has more riboflavin than rosemary, but rosemary has more folate.

Appearance

Although the two herbs look identical when crushed or ground, they look quite different as plants.

Rosemary is a large plant, growing up to 6-8 feet tall and wide. It is a woody plant with long, evergreen, needle-like leaves. Flowers are usually small and grow in clusters. They come in colors of white, purple, or blue.

Thyme is much smaller and only grows about 6-12 inches tall and 16 inches wide. This makes thyme much easier to grow in your kitchen. The leaves are also very small and oval shaped. Flowers also appear in clusters but come in colors of pink or purple. The petals are also larger than rosemary flower petals.

Can I Use Rosemary Instead Of Thyme?

So, you’re cooking. Should you use rosemary or thyme?

Can you substitute rosemary for thyme?

Quite frankly, rosemary is not a good substitute for thyme. Rosemary has a very strong odor and taste that can quickly overpower a dish if you replace it for thyme. This is particularly true when the recipe calls for spices like tarragon in addition to thyme.

However, you can use thyme as a replacement for rosemary. Thyme has a much subtler and gentler taste to it. It also goes well with many other spices, so it’s hard to overpower your dishes with thyme. You might find that you even need to add some extra thyme to make up for the lack of rosemary.

So, what is the best substitute for thyme? Marjoram is a similar member of the mint family also used in Mediterranean dishes. It has a similar woody and sweet flavor like thyme.

Final Words

Rosemary and thyme are two of the most commonly used herbs in cooking. Despite their similarities, they have more differences than they have in common.

You can use thyme in place of rosemary as thyme works well in almost any dish. However, rosemary is much stronger and more pungent than thyme, so it’s not recommended to use as a substitute for thyme.

If you can, try to grow both in your garden! You’ll find yourself using them all the time. At the very least, buy both spices to keep in your spice rack. You won’t regret it.

Want to learn more? Click here to read my guide to growing rosemary from cuttings or here for how to freeze rosemary. You can also find all my rosemary guides here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post Can I Use Rosemary Instead Of Thyme? [Must Read] appeared first on Gardening Chief.

But, what’s the best way to use thyme for your cooking? Many people like to use fresh thyme. This is great if you grow your own plant, but it can become pricy if you always have to purchase it at the store.

Instead, drying is a great way to preserve fresh thyme and save it long term. Many people that grow their own thyme plants opt to dry the herb because it preserves it well. Drying it also ensures that you have fresh thyme at your fingertips for months to come.

So, which method is the best method for drying thyme? The oven method offers a lot of great advantages.

Below, I cover why you should consider drying thyme and the different methods you can use to do so. I then answer exactly how do you dry thyme in the oven, how long it takes, and whether you need to wash thyme before drying. Finally, I talk about how and when to harvest thyme and how to store your dried thyme.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Why Dry Thyme?

Drying thyme is a great way to have the herb on hand at all times. It’s a good way to preserve what you haven’t used so that it doesn’t go to waste.

Drying fresh thyme significantly increases how long the herb will last and be good for use.

Want to know the difference between using fresh and dried thyme? Read my full comparison and substitution amounts here.

How To Dry Fresh Thyme

If you’d like to dry your own thyme, you’re in luck. It’s quite easy to dry thyme, and there are five basic ways you can do it.

Air-Dry: Hanging

When drying your thyme by hanging, you’ll first want to tie the sprigs together with a piece of string. Just don’t create bundles that are too thick or they may not dry out well.

After that, you’ll hang the bundle up somewhere warm with low humidity. Do not place the bundle in direct sunlight. It will take about 1-2 weeks for the bundle to be completely dry.

The downside to this method is that it doesn’t work in all climates. If you live somewhere where there is a lot of moisture in the air, it’s probably not a good idea. Excess moisture will cause your sprigs to mold.

Air-Dry: Trays

This is a similar method to the one above, but you’ll be using a tray instead of hanging your herb. You can choose any flat tray and line it with a bit of parchment paper. You’ll then spread the leaves evenly on the tray and place it in a warm room with little humidity.

The leaves will need to be flipped every 12 hours for even drying. You’ll notice your leaves have completely dried in a couple of days.

Microwave

If you’re strapped for time, this is the quickest method to dry your thyme. Some people don’t like this method though because you may lose some of the flavor.

To start, you’re going to spread the leaves out on a piece of paper towel. You’ll then place another piece of paper towel over top of the leaves. You can then microwave the leaves on high for about 30 seconds.

If your leaves still aren’t dry after that, try microwaving for 15 seconds and then checking on the leaves. Keep drying at 15-second intervals until the leaves have completely dried.

Read my full guide to drying thyme in the microwave here.

Dehydrator

Drying thyme in a dehydrator is a great way to dry your leaves. It gets your leaves dried faster than hanging them would, but it leaves in all the flavor unlike the microwave method.

To use the dehydrator, spread the leaves across the trays. You’ll want to set the dehydrator at about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll want to check your thyme regularly, but it shouldn’t take more than 2-4 hours.

Oven

Oven drying is my favorite method of drying thyme because it’s simple. It doesn’t require you to purchase any extra equipment like you would have to with a dehydrator. It’s also better than the air-drying method because you’re not limited by your climate. It’s also much faster than air-drying as well.

The only thing you need to be cautious about with the oven is the heat. Too much heat can overcook your thyme leaves and then they will lose their flavor. Ovens typically can’t be set as low as a dehydrator, so you need to check your leaves more often.

How To Dry Thyme In Oven

You’re probably wondering, then, how to dry fresh thyme in the oven. Here are the steps:

1. The first step to drying your thyme in the oven is to preheat your oven. You’re going to set your oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, or however low your oven will allow
2. Next, you’re going to lay your thyme on a baking sheet. You can either use whole stems, or remove the leaves from the stems
   • Make sure you only have a single layer of thyme — more layers will interfere with drying
3. Thyme doesn’t like humidity, so leave your oven door ajar to allow moisture to escape. If you need to, you can use a wooden utensil or a piece of cork to prop it open
4. Dry your thyme for 1-2 hours
5. As I said above, you’ll need to be cautious of your thyme becoming overcooked so check on your thyme every 15 minutes after the first hour
6. You’ll know your thyme is ready when it’s brittle and crumbles at the touch

How Long Does It Take To Dry Thyme In The Oven?

How long it takes to dry your thyme in the oven is dependent on what temperature your oven is set, and how much moisture is in the leaves.

Setting your oven to a higher temperature will dry the leaves out more quickly, but you will also risk over cooking them.

Setting your oven to the lowest temperature possible is the best thing for your leaves, but it will take longer.

All in all, it shouldn’t take more than 2 hours for your leaves to dry in the oven.

Do You Wash Thyme Before Drying?

Whether you choose to wash the leaves or not depends on how dirty they are. If you grow the leaves inside, it’s not usually necessary. Also, outside grown leaves usually don’t need washing either unless they appear visibly dirty or if you’ve used pesticides.

In all honesty, you want to avoid washing your thyme leaves because doing so will strip some of the essential oils. The essential oils is what gives thyme its flavor, so you want to avoid eliminating those.

However, if you find that you need to wash them, you can. Lightly rinse the leaves with a gentle stream of water, or cleanse them with a damp cloth. Avoid washing the leaves too heavily.

After washing, be sure to remove any excess moisture. You can pat the leaves dry with a cloth or a paper towel.

Moisture left on the leaves can potentially produce mold during drying, especially if you choose the hanging method. If you choose the oven method, excess moisture will cause the leaves to soften rather than becoming crisp.

Leaves should ALWAYS be dry before the drying process begins.

How And When To Harvest Thyme

For the best results, you should harvest from late spring to early summer just before the plant has bloomed. Flowers usually bloom between June and August, so just be sure to harvest before this time. This is the best time for growing for your thyme, and it’s when the leaves will taste the best.

Also, if your thyme is grown outside, it’s best to harvest it in the morning after the dew has dried. This is when the leaves will have the most flavor.

Harvesting thyme isn’t difficult. All you need to do is prune off about 2/3 of the stem from the tip. This is usually about 5-6 inches. You’re only going to leave the woody ends behind. Try to avoid cutting into this woody section. Doing so many cause your plant difficulty in growing back.

How To Store Your Dried Thyme

When storing your thyme, there are two elements that are your enemy: light and moisture.

Moisture

Never store your thyme if there is any moisture left in the leaves. If there is any remaining moisture, then you need to dry them out more. If you store leaves that still have retained moisture, your leaves will develop mold.

If you’re not sure if the leaves are completely dry or not, there is an easy way to find out.

Simply store your leaves and check on them once a day for at least 3 days. If there is still moisture in the leaves, you will begin to notice condensation building up on the sides of the container. This is your hint that you need to dry the leaves further.

Light

Light is also very bad for your thyme because it’ll make the herb go bad more quickly. If you store your thyme where it can be hit by the light, you’ll find that it loses flavor very quickly.

The easiest way to store your thyme away from the light is to simply store it in a cupboard. You can also use dark glass containers or ceramic containers.

Type Of Container

Overall, when choosing a container, you’ll want to avoid plastics and stick to glass or ceramic. Many plastics are porous and will absorb the essential oils from your thyme. This will cause your thyme to lose flavor.

Also be sure to choose a container that is air-tight. You don’t want to risk any moisture or contaminants getting into your thyme.

Read my full guide to how to store thyme here.

Final Words

Thyme is a very useful herb that adds flavor to so many dishes. If you’re able to, drying thyme is very helpful and convenient. By drying thyme, you’ll have fresh herbs to use in your cooking for months to come. No worrying about going to the store to buy more, or taking the time to harvest your plants.

Fortunately for you, how to dry thyme leaves in the oven is quite simple. By drying your thyme in the oven, you’ll have fresh prepared herbs in a matter of hours just ready to be cooked.

Want to learn more? Find out whether thyme can survive winter here and how to freeze thyme here. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How to Dry Thyme in the Oven appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Many people that cook frequently like to grow their own herbs. It’s more rewarding than buying them, and it costs less too.

Rather than always using fresh herbs, though, drying can be more convenient. But, which method of drying is right for you? If you’re in a pinch for time, I suggest the microwave method.

Below, I cover all the ways you can dry thyme leaves before going in-depth with exactly how to dry thyme in the microwave, how long it takes and how to store your dried thyme afterwards.

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Why Dry Thyme Leaves?

Thyme is a very popular herb that is used frequently for cooking. Sure, you can go to the store and buy dried thyme or even fresh thyme, but the cost can add up. If you have your own thyme plant, it’s better to dry the leaves yourself.

Drying your own thyme leaves allows you to have fresh dried thyme at your fingertips whenever you need it.

How To Dry Thyme Leaves

There are several different ways to dry thyme leaves. Whichever option you choose really depends on your personal preferences.

Some options are more eco-friendly, but take longer. Some options are quick, but will potentially eliminate some of the flavor.

Microwave

Using a microwave is clearly the quickest option, but many people aren’t familiar with this method. It’s said that drying your thyme in the microwave will cause your leaves to loose a bit of their flavor. Still, this method is great if you’re in a pinch for time.

Using a microwave will allow you to have fresh dried thyme in less than a minute. As far as flavor goes, just be careful not to overcook your thyme leaves. Simply check on your leaves frequently as they’re drying and remove them when they’re finished. Doing this prevents you from losing almost any flavor.

Air-Drying By Hanging

Air-drying is definitely the simplest method, and it’s also the most eco-friendly. You don’t need anything other than your sprigs of thyme and a little bit of string.

All you need to do is bunch up multiple sprigs and tie them together with a bit of string.

Then, you’ll just hang the sprigs up to dry. Choose a location that is warm and dry, but isn’t in direct sunlight.

There are a couple downsides to this method, the main one being time. Hanging your thyme is the easiest way to dry them, but it also takes the longest. It will take about 1-2 weeks for your thyme to dry completely.

Also, this method is incompatible for wet or humid climates. You should only use this method if you live somewhere warm and dry.

Air-Drying With A Tray

Air-drying your leaves on a tray is similar to the hanging method, but is much quicker. Unlike the hanging method, it will only take a couple days for your leaves to dry.

All you need to do is select a baking tray and line it with parchment paper. You’ll place the leaves onto the paper in a single layer. Make sure that you rotate the leaves every 12 hours for even drying.

Dehydrator

Using a dehydrator is one of the best options for drying thyme if you’re low on time. It dries the leaves at a low temperature so that you don’t have to worry about overcooking them.

The downside to this method is that you have to purchase a dehydrator, which can get pricey.

With a dehydrator, you’re going to place the leaves across the trays in a single layer. You’re then going to dehydrate the leaves at 95 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-4 hours.

Oven

The oven method is great because it’s one of the quickest methods, but it doesn’t require you to purchase any special equipment. When using an oven, your leaves will dry out in only 1-2 hours, which is great if you don’t have days to wait.

When drying in the oven, you want to set the temperature to no higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re able to set it lower than that, that’s even better.

The problem with ovens is that they can overcook the leaves which will cause them to lose flavor. To avoid this, you’re going to want to check on your leaves every 15 minutes after the first hour.

Also, you need to keep the oven door propped open to let out any excess moisture.

To learn more about the oven method, read our article here.

How To Dry Thyme In Microwave

So, you have a big meal planned tonight and you need dried thyme. You’re running out of time and can’t go to the grocery store to buy some, so what can you do? You have fresh thyme available, but you need it dried.

Not to worry, pop those fresh thyme leaves into the microwave and you’ll be ready to go in under a minute.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove the leaves from the sprig
2. Lay the leaves on a piece of paper towel
   • Make sure that you only do a single layer
   • If leaves are laying on top of each other, they won’t be able to dry properly
3. Place a second paper towel over the leaves and the first paper towel
4. Place the leaves and paper towels into the microwave
5. Microwave on high for 30 seconds
6. Check the leaves
   • You’ll know the leaves are finished when they’re brittle and crumble at the touch
   • If they still have moisture, they need to be dried again
7. Continue microwaving in 15 second intervals until the leaves are completely dry
   • The leaves should be dry and brittle, but not overcooked
   • Remove the leaves as soon as all the moisture is gone

How Long Does It Take To Dry Thyme In Microwave?

Drying thyme in the microwave is very quick. For most microwaves operating at high power, the leaves will dry in under 1 minute.

Do You Wash Thyme Before Drying In Microwave?

Really, you want to avoid washing your thyme before drying it if possible. Washing the leaves will strip them of the essential oils that give the herb its flavor.

Washing will also add time to the whole drying process because you can’t dry leaves with moisture on them. Leaves must be completely dry on the outside before you can begin drying them on the inside.

However, if your leaves are dirty, or if you use pesticides in your garden, you can do a light rinse of your leaves. Rinse with just a thin stream of water and gently pat dry with a towel. You’ll likely need to let it air dry as well.

Remember, leaves must always be dry on the outside before you can begin drying them on the inside.

How To Store Your Dried Thyme Leaves

Storing your dried thyme leaves is fairly simple, you just need to know which containers are best.

The main thing you need to know when storing your dried herbs is that they should be in a dry place with little to no light. Moisture can quickly ruin any herb because it causes mold to grow. Light will cause the herb to age more quickly and it will lose its flavor sooner.

The best containers to use are glass or ceramic. Avoid plastics because they are often porous. Porous containers will soak up the essential oils from your thyme, causing the leaves to lose flavor.

Make sure to never store leaves that have any kind of moisture in them. If you are unsure if your leaves are completely dry, just keep a close eye on them. Check the container once a day for any condensation.

If you notice condensation, then you need to dry the leaves more. If you haven’t seen any condensation after a few days, then the leaves are fine.

It’s also best to store your leaves in a cupboard where they will not be exposed to light.

If you do all these things, your dried thyme will be good for about 6 months before it begins to lose flavor.

Final Words

There are 5 different methods for drying herbs. Each method is useful in its own way, it really depends on your personal preferences.

But, if you don’t have a lot of time, I suggest that you use the microwave method. In under 1 minute, you’ll have freshly dried thyme right at your fingertips.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn how to dry thyme in the oven and learn how to freeze thyme here. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How To Dry Thyme In The Microwave: Quick And Easy appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Anyone that routinely cooks with fresh herbs knows that they can get expensive really fast. Fresh herbs don’t last long, so if you want to always use them, you’re going to be constantly buying them.

So, how do we solve this?

The answer is simple, really. We need to learn how to properly store thyme. Whether we’re storing fresh thyme, dried thyme, or frozen thyme, there are ways to make all of them last longer. We’ll explore that here as well as whether thyme goes bad and how long it lasts.

Want to know the difference between using fresh and dried thyme? Read my full comparison and substitution amounts here.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Does Thyme Go Bad?

Yes, thyme does go bad, just like any food product will go bad.

Fresh thyme is only going to be good for about a week or two, even when stored properly.

Dried and frozen thyme can last about 6 months when stored properly. Improper storage will drastically reduce the shelf life, though. We’ll get into that later.

How Can You Tell If Thyme Is Bad?

When preparing dried or frozen thyme, you should always label and date your packages. Technically, you can get away with using them for up to a year, but they probably won’t have much flavor. I recommend tossing dried and frozen thyme after 6 months.

But what if you haven’t dated your thyme?

Dried thyme doesn’t necessarily “go bad”, but it will lose its flavor and aroma after a long time. If you’re not sure how old your dried thyme is, try the sniff and taste test. Crush some of the dried thyme between your fingers and smell it, then give it a taste. If you can’t taste or smell much, it’s time to discard it.

If you don’t know how old your frozen thyme is, it’s likely okay as long as you don’t see any obvious freezer-burnt parts.

It’s a lot easier to tell when fresh thyme has gone bad. The thyme will be soft to the touch and will feel slimy. If only small sections are like this, you can always cut them off and use the stuff that’s still good. Thyme has also gone bad if you notice wilting.

Exactly How To Store Thyme

You may be wondering how to preserve fresh thyme. Thyme is going to last a lot longer when it’s stored properly verses when it’s left to fend for itself.

Option 1: Store In The Fridge

So, how do you store fresh thyme? The best way to store fresh thyme is always in the refrigerator.

If you leave your thyme sitting out at room temperature, it’s going to go bad in just one or two days. Keeping your thyme in the fridge will keep it fresh for about two weeks.

To help your refrigerated thyme last even longer in the fridge, you should place it in a bag with a wet paper towel. Use a Ziplock bag that you can close and seal. The damp paper towel will help the thyme retain its moisture and prevent it from going bad so quickly.

Option 2: Dry The Thyme

Drying your leftover fresh thyme will significantly increase the shelf life of the herb. Dried thyme can last for up to 6 months and still be good.

There are five different ways that you can dry thyme: air-dry by hanging, air-dry with a tray, with an oven, with a microwave, or with a dehydrator.

Air-Dry: Hanging

This is the most eco-friendly option because you only need some string to tie up your sprigs. It also takes the longest, though, as it can take up to two weeks for your thyme to fully dry. You also shouldn’t use this method if you live in a cold or humid environment.

Air-Dry: Tray

This method is a bit quicker; it only takes about 2-3 days for the leaves to dry. You’ll line a baking sheet with some parchment paper and allow the leaves to air-dry on the sheet. This method is also not suitable if you live in a cold or humid environment.

Oven

This method is great if you don’t have a dehydrator because it’s fairly quick. It only takes about 1-2 hours, but you do have to be careful not to overcook the leaves. Keep the oven at 150 degrees Fahrenheit maximum, and keep the door propped to let out any moisture.

Read more about drying thyme in the oven here.

Microwave

This is the quickest method because you can have dried herbs in under a minute. However, you need to be careful not to overcook the herbs. You’re also going to lose some flavor with this method.

Read more about drying thyme in the microwave here.

Dehydrator

This is honestly the best method because it’s quick, only taking about 2-4 hours, but you don’t have to worry about your leaves drying out. Dehydrators dry herbs at a low temperature that preserves the flavor and aroma. This method can also be costly, though, because you’ll need to purchase a dehydrator.

Storage

Now you’re probably wondering how to store dried thyme. It isn’t difficult to do, but it can make all the difference for how long your dried herb will last.

Thyme has two natural enemies that you need to avoid: moisture and light.

Light is the lesser of two evils and is easily avoided. Light will cause your thyme to lose flavor more quickly, so you should store your thyme in a dark cupboard.

Moisture is the worst thing that can happen to your thyme because it will cause mold. Fortunately, this is easy to prevent as well. First, make sure that your thyme is completely dry before storing it. If you’re not sure, check on it every day for three days. If there is any moisture left, you will notice condensation. In this case, you simply need to dry your thyme longer.

Assuming that your thyme is completely dry, you’ll now want to avoid any moisture getting into your herb. Simply make sure that you choose a container with a lid that is airtight. This will also prevent pests from getting in.

Another important thing to note is that you should choose a glass container. Avoid plastic which is often porous. Porous materials will absorb any essential oils that the thyme has stored. Essential oils give thyme it’s flavor and aroma. Without them, the thyme is useless.

To learn more about these drying methods, check out our full article here.

Option 3: Freeze The Thyme

If you want your fresh thyme to last more than a couple weeks, freezing is also an option. Freezing is similar to drying in that frozen thyme will be good for about 6 months. After 6 months, it will naturally begin to lose its flavor and aroma.

If you want to freeze your thyme, you can do so by blanching it, flash freezing it, or making it into ice cubes.

Blanching

To blanch thyme, you’re going to boil it for 45 seconds before moving it to a cold-water bath for 10 minutes. After drying it, you can then store it in a freezer bag.

Blanching your fresh thyme is the best option if you want to preserve the texture and color of the herb along with the flavor. Blanching is great if you make a lot of soups, chowders, or stir-fries.

Flash Freeze

Flash Freezing is a good method to keep your herbs separated. Oftentimes, when you freeze herbs and veggies, they freeze together and then it’s difficult to only break off the amount that you actually need. Flash freezing avoids this and makes it easy to only get as much as you need.

To flash freeze, you’re going to separate the leaves from the stems. You’ll line a baking sheet with wax paper and lay the leaves on the paper in a single layer. They can then be frozen in the freezer for easy, individual freezing.

Ice Cubes

Making your herbs into ice cubes is a great option if you like to have things pre-portioned. When you’re ready to use the ice cubes, you don’t need to thaw them, you can just put them directly into the meal you’re cooking.

Most people make their ice cubes with a combination of water and oil which helps preserve the herbs for longer. It’s also a nifty method because you can create a combination of spices inside every ice cube.

Storage

The main thing you need to worry about when storing frozen thyme is freezer burning. Always keep your frozen thyme stored within a Ziplocked freezer bag for protection. Make sure to squeeze any air out of the bag and seal it before storing.

Even if you choose the ice cube method, you should still use a freezer bag. Simply remove the ice cubes from the tray and transfer them to the bag.

To learn more about these freezing methods, check out our full article here.

How Long Does Thyme Last?

How long thyme lasts depends on how it’s prepared and stored.

Fresh thyme will only last for 2-3 days at room temperature, but can last for 1-2 weeks when refrigerated.

Dried thyme can last for up to 6 months when stored in a dark location in an air-tight container.

Frozen thyme can last for up to 6 months when kept in a freezer bag.

Final Words

If you want your fresh thyme to last for a while, it’s always best to store it properly. If you keep it at room temperature, it’s going to go bad in a couple days, and then you’ll have to throw it out. If you keep it in the refrigerator inside a bag, you can extend the life to 1-2 weeks.

Drying or freezing thyme is an even better option. These are great options for preserving your leftover fresh thyme. When stored correctly, frozen or dried thyme can last for up to 6 months and still taste good.

Next time you’re worried about your fresh thyme going bad, don’t! You now know the best way to store thyme.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn how big thyme grows or here for what you can do with thyme flowers. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How To Store Fresh Thyme: All The Answers appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Many people choose not to grow different plants near each other because they think that the plants will harm each other. This is true in some cases, but in other cases, quite the opposite is true! Many plants do really well together and will even act to help each other grow.

How do they do this, you might be wondering? Some companion plants, like thyme, ward off pests and attract pollinators. Others prevent weeds from growing, and others provide nutrients needed for the other plants to grow.

When you consider everything, companion planting for thyme can have a lot of benefits!

Below, I cover more details about what companion planting is and the benefits of it before talking about what to look for when chosing companion plants for thyme. I then go through the best companion plants for thyme.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is a relatively new concept in gardening. It refers to when you plant certain species together so that each plant will benefit the others. Some plants go really well together, while others don’t.

For example, you want to plant species that have similar needs. But, you don’t want those needs to be too similar or the plants will end up competing for resources.

You also don’t want to choose plants that will directly hurt other plants. For example, mint grows using sturdy, hard, underground rhizomes. You wouldn’t want to plant mint with something like rosemary that has a delicate underground root system.

As I said, companion planting is a relatively new concept in the world of gardening. Most of the research and experimentation that has been done has been performed on “farming” crops.

Still, researchers and gardeners alike have been slowly figuring out which garden plants go best with each other, and which ones don’t. Much of this is due to trial and error, growing plants together to see what works and what doesn’t.

What Are The Benefits Of Companion Planting?

Companion planting is great because it allows you to grow multiple species in your garden. Not only that, but all the species work together to support each other so that you have a big, healthy garden.

There are many ways in which companion planting can benefit your garden whether you’re using thyme or other species:

• Certain plants (like thyme) deter pests and attract pollinators
• Ground-covering plants (like thyme) prevent the growth of weeds
• Some plants will provide extra nutrients to the plants around them
• Taller plants can provide shade to shorter plants

Companion Planting Thyme: What To Consider When Looking For What To Plant With Thyme

Thyme is one of the best plants to companion plant with other plants. Thyme is a very easy plant. It’s hardy and can happily grow in most conditions.

It’s used to surviving on a lack of nutrients, so it’s not likely to deprive your other plants of the nutrients they need. Really, thyme is the perfect companion plant because it gives more than it takes.

Pests & Pollinators

One thing that makes thyme so great is that it is a strong-smelling plant. It smells and tastes similar to that of mint, which is a great plant for repelling pests. Similarly, thyme is also great at repelling pests.

If you’re growing plants in your garden that are susceptible to pests, plant some thyme alongside it. You just might find that your plants are protected by the thyme.

The aroma of thyme is great. It smells sweet, and it is a very pleasant smell for us as humans. At the same time, it gets rid of pests. The smell may be so strong that they become confused and are unable to find the plant they really want to feast on. Other times, the smell may be so strong that the pests simply choose to stay far away from it.

Thyme is very good at deterring things like deer, cabbage worms, corn earworms, flea beetles, and tomato hornworms.

Not only does thyme smell good to us and bad to pests, but it smells good to pollinators, too. Thyme is great for luring in bees who will pollinate the thyme as well as all the other plants in your garden.

Growing Conditions

For plants to work well together as companion plants, they need to have similar growing conditions. It’s usually best if the plants aren’t too similar.

If they are, they will often end up competing with each other, so then neither will thrive. But when they are just similar enough, they are able to grow well together.

The biggest thing about thyme is that it needs well-draining soil. Thyme doesn’t do well with a lot of extra water. It is actually better to underwater thyme than it is to overwater it.

Overwatering can cause the plant to wilt and develop root rot. So, thyme probably isn’t going to work well with crops that need really moist soil.

Read more about the best soil for thyme here.

Similarly, sunlight is very important to thyme. Ideally, thyme needs to have 6-10 hours of full sunlight every day. It can survive in partial shade, but it’s not going to grow as well as it would in full sun.

Thyme is also a low-growing plant that creeps across the ground. Because it grows low to the ground, it can be difficult to get enough sunlight when it’s planted around other crops. You should be careful to grow plants that are not excessively tall. You don’t want plants that are going to produce too much shade over your thyme plants.

Weeds

Plants that are susceptible to weeds will also do well with thyme as a companion plant. Thyme grows low to the ground and spreads out. Because it creates such great ground cover, it prevents weeds from popping up.

This will not only help your plants save nutrients, but it will make your garden look nicer. Instead of having to pull the weeds by hand, you can simply grow thyme and let it do the work for you.

Not only does thyme prevent weeds, but it also helps keep the soil moist. This is important for some companion plants that need moister soil to grow.

Best Companion Plants For Thyme

Thyme is one of the best plants to use for companion planting. Here is what grows well with thyme:

• Potatoes
• Shallots
• Tomatoes
• Strawberries
• Eggplants
• Roses
• Salad Burnet
• Blueberries
• Cabbage
• Lavender

Potatoes

Thyme is a great companion to potatoes because potatoes tend to attract potato beetles. In turn, thyme will attract parasitic wasps that eat the beetles, therefore protecting the potatoes.

Thyme also helps potatoes to taste better.

Shallots

Shallots work well with thyme because the herb helps to enhance the shallots flavor.

Thyme also works to deter worms that may feed on the shallots.

Tomatoes

Can you plant thyme with tomatoes? You sure can!

Tomatoes are at extreme risk of hornworms who will feast on them. Thyme works to repel these pests while also enhancing the tomato’s flavor.

Also, if you have a problem with white lilies around your tomatoes, thyme can help get rid of them and helps the tomatoes defend themselves.

Strawberries

Because strawberries are so sweet, they’re often predated by many pests. Thyme is a great companion plant because it helps prevent these pests from going after the strawberries.

Thyme also works well to suppress weeds when planted near strawberries. It also will help keep the ground moist, something that is important for strawberries.

Eggplants

Thyme acts as a great deterrent to garden moths that like to go after eggplant.

Roses

Roses are often in danger from pests like aphids and blackflies, but thyme works to deter these pests.

Salad Burnet

Salad Burnet is a very aromatic plant that will help make your garden smell good in combination with thyme.

Thyme also works really well at just helping this plant thrive in general.

Blueberries

Blueberries need pollination, and thyme can help with that. Thyme will use its alluring scent to attract honeybees which will pollinate the blueberries.

Cabbage & The Cabbage Family

Thyme works really well with cabbage and other crops like it. It helps to deter pests like cabbage worms, cabbage moths, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, and aphids.

Thyme can be planted around cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and kohlrabi.

Lavender

Thyme doesn’t necessarily offer any benefits to lavender, but it does grow well alongside it. Lavender is an herb from the Mediterranean, just like thyme is. Because of this, they both have very similar growing conditions and do well together.

However, there are some plants that you shouldn’t grow with thyme:

• Chives
• Basil
• Cilantro

Chives

Thyme does best in soil that is sandy and well-draining. Alternatively, chives need soil that is moist, so these two plants don’t do well together.

Basil

Basil does best when it’s planted with vegetables rather than herbs. It doesn’t work well with herbs, so thyme should not be planted with it.

Cilantro

Like chives, cilantro does best with soil that is moist rather than dry.

For this reason, cilantro and thyme don’t work well together.

Final Words

If you’ve ever wondered whether planting certain crops together is a good idea, now you know! Companion planting is a great idea because different plants can work together to help each other be healthier.

Of course, this isn’t true in all scenarios. Some plants don’t do well together at all and should be avoided. Chives, basil, and cilantro do not do well with thyme, and they should never be planted with thyme.

Still, thyme helps a lot more plants than it hurts. Thyme grows great with potatoes, tomatoes, shallots, blueberries, roses, and others.

Thyme produces a strong scent that is pleasing to us, and is pleasing to pollinators as well. It helps bring pollinators into the garden to encourage plant growth for things like blueberries.

It also helps to ward off pests that find the scent disgusting, though. This seems to be the main benefit of planting thyme with other plants: warding off pests. It even prevents the growth of weeds!

Either way you look at it, you can’t go wrong choosing companion plants for your thyme.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn when to plant thyme and here to learn where you should plant it. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post Best Companion Plants For Thyme: What To Plant With Thyme appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Anyone who has cooked with herbs can tell you that it can get expensive. Fresh herbs are the best to cook with, but they can be pricey, and you won’t use very much.

So, what are you supposed to do with all the leftover thyme? It seems a waste to just throw it out. Have you ever asked yourself, “Can I freeze fresh thyme?”

Freezing fresh thyme is a great way to solve this dilemma. Cook with your fresh thyme, and then freeze whatever is left over. Now, to save your thyme for a long time — see what I did there? — you’ll need to prepare it properly before freezing. Don’t worry, you can learn how to do that here.

Below, I cover all your options for freezing thyme as well as exact instructions for how to freeze thyme, how long it lasts and how to best thaw thyme to use it.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Can Fresh Thyme Be Frozen?

Like many herbs, it is recommended to freeze fresh thyme. Sure, fresh thyme is always the best option when cooking, but this isn’t always possible.

Usually, when you harvest or buy fresh thyme, you’re not going to be able to use it all before it goes bad. This is where freezing comes in.

Options For Freezing Thyme Herb

So, we’ve discussed that freezing is a great way to keep your thyme herbs preserved, but how do you preserve them?

Freeze As-Is

If you don’t want to spend much time prepping, you can always just place the thyme into a freezer bag and into the freezer. Some people will freeze entire thyme sprigs, while others will freeze just the leaves.

But, freezing without any preparation usually isn’t the best idea. Without any prepping, thyme will only stay good in the freezer for about 1-2 months.

Blanching

Blanching is a great preparation option because it helps keep the color and the texture too, not just the flavor. When you blanch thyme, you’re getting rid of some of the woodiness of the plant. Getting rid of the woodiness will minimize the texture and flavor of the herb, but only subtly.

This option is best for when you’re cooking soups, stir-fry, or chowders.

Flash Freeze

Have you ever frozen your herbs and gotten annoyed when you tried to use some later? The herbs just stick together and won’t come apart easily.

If this is the case, flashing freezing might be a good method for you. It prevents herbs from sticking together during freezing.

Ice Cube Trays

Another option to preserve your fresh thyme is to freeze it inside ice cube trays. This method is nice because you’ll place a set amount of thyme into each ice cube spot.

This makes cooking easy because you’ll know exactly how many “ice cubes” you need for your dish and can just thaw that amount. The water and oil in the ice cube tray will also help keep the herb fresher for longer.

Many people like this method because it can be added directly to food while it’s cooking. It’s one of the most popular methods for putting together stews and chowders.

How To Freeze Thyme

How do you freeze fresh thyme? Freezing thyme is quick and easy, even with the prep work involved. If you plan to use it within a month or two, simply stick it into a freezer bag and freeze it.

If you want to keep it longer than that, make sure to prep it first. Blanching, flash freezing, and creating ice cubes are all good options for preserving thyme.

How To Freeze Fresh Thyme Sprigs & Leaves

As I said above, whichever method you choose above will determine how you’ll freeze your thyme. Let’s get into the instructions here.

Freeze As-Is

This method is the easiest:

1. Place your sprig or leaves of thyme into a freezer bag
2. Squeeze out all the air in the freezer bag and close it
3. Place the bag into the freezer

Blanching

Blanching will take a few more steps, but that’s okay because your herb will last longer:

1. Rinse the thyme to remove any debris
2. Boil a pot of water
3. Place the sprigs of thyme into the water for 45 seconds
4. Immediately remove the thyme and place it into a bowl of cold water
5. Allow the leaves to soak in the cold water for about 10 minutes
6. Remove the thyme and place on a paper towel
7. Pat the thyme dry with the paper towel
8. Place the thyme into a freezer bag. You can freeze entire sprigs or just the leaves
9. Squeeze excess air from the bag and close it
10. Place the bag in the freezer after labeling it with the date

Flash Freezing

This method is for anyone who is sick of their herbs sticking together when they’re frozen:

1. Rinse the thyme to remove any debris
2. Place on a colander or on a drying rack for 10 minutes to dry
3. Place the thyme on a paper towel and pat dry
4. Remove the leaves from the stems and place them in a bowl
5. Prepare a baking sheet with a sheet of wax paper
6. Lay the leaves evenly across the wax paper without any overlapping. You should form a single layer with no leaves touching
7. Place the tray of leaves directly into the freezer for 1-2 hours
8. Remove the tray and move the leaves into a freezer bag
9. Squeeze any excess air from the bag and seal it
10. Label the bag with the date and place it in the freezer

Freezing In Ice-Cube Trays

1. Rinse the thyme to remove any debris
2. Take the leaves off the stems
3. Using a knife and cutting board, dice up the thyme leaves
4. Spray a thin layer of oil into the ice cube tray. You could also soak a paper towel in oil and rub the ice cube tray with the paper towel
5. Sufficiently fill each ice cube spot with the diced thyme
6. Fill each ice cube spot with water, but leave a bit of space at the top
7. Finish filling the ice cube spots to the top with a bit of olive oil. At this point, all the leaves should be submerged
8. Wrap the tray with plastic wrap to prevent spilling (optional)
9. Place the ice cube trays into the freezer
10. After the ice cubes are completely frozen, you can remove the cubes from the tray and place them into a freezer bag
11. Squeeze extra air out of the bag and seal it
12. Label the bag with the date and place it in the freezer

Should You Freeze Dried Thyme?

Fresh thyme doesn’t last very long after you’ve harvested it, or if you bring it home from the store. Usually when you use fresh thyme, you’ll have a lot left over. If you can’t use all of it within a weeks time, it’s going to go to waste.

A good way to solve this is to freeze it. Freezing will keep your thyme usable for months. When you freeze your herbs, you’re ensuring that you’re not wasting anything, and it allows you to be prepared for the future.

If you don’t want to freeze your thyme, but still need a way to preserve it, try drying it instead. Drying is another great method for preparing your fresh thyme. Like freezing, drying the herb will make it last for months, saving you plenty of money.

Can You Freeze Thyme Sprigs?

Technically, yes, you can store entire sprigs of thyme in the freezer. However, I don’t really recommend it. Thyme will always last longer in the freezer than it will in your fridge.

Íf you want your thyme to last for several months, you need to prepare it properly before freezing it. Preparing thyme is simply easier when the stems aren’t involved and you just use the leaves.

Still, if you only need to save your thyme for a few weeks, feel free to go ahead and freeze the whole sprig. The leaves will fall off the sprig after they’re cooked, so many people find it easier to just leave them attached.

How Long Does Frozen Thyme Last?

If you freeze whole sprigs without preparation, they’ll probably only last a few weeks before they become freezer burnt.

But, if you prepare your thyme before freezing, you can save it for up to 6 months. Think how much money you can save by prepping and freezing your extra thyme!

How To Thaw Thyme (And Use It)

In most cases, you won’t need to thaw it. You can simply toss the frozen thyme into whatever dish you’re working on, and it’ll thaw on its own. Of course, if you’ve frozen the entire sprig, you’ll need to remove the leaves from the stem first.

In fact, if you do choose to thaw your thyme, it can go bad if you leave it out for too long. Thyme is very thin, so it thaws very quickly. If you don’t use it within an hour of removing it from the freezer, it will become soggy.

If you feel the need to thaw your thyme, make sure you place it into the refrigerator. This will allow the thyme to safely defrost without going bad.

Final Words

Thyme is a very common herb that cooks use all over the world. It’s great to cook with fresh thyme if you can, but that’s not always an option. Fresh thyme doesn’t last for very long, so you usually end up throwing away whatever you don’t use in your meal.

Freezing solves this problem by allowing you to save that leftover fresh thyme for later use. Blanch it, flash freeze it, or make it into ice cubes. The choice is yours.

Want to learn more? Read how to store thyme here. Click here to find out how to dry thyme in the microwave and oven here. You can also find all my thyme guides here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How To Freeze Thyme [Full Guide] appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Have you decided that you want to grow thyme in your garden, but you aren’t sure if your Thyme plant will survive plant? Maybe you live somewhere that gets very cold over winter and are afraid the frost will kill off your plants. Well, you’re in the right place. We’re going to cover how tolerant thyme is of the cold and what you can do to help it make it to the next spring.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Understanding Plant Hardiness Zones

Will thyme survive winter? If you live in hardiness zones 5-9, the answer is yes.

Thyme is a fairly cold-tolerant plant. In fact, it is considered a semi-evergreen plant and is capable of retaining some of its foliage even throughout the winter months.

In the cold United States winters, thyme is known for surviving in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9. It can sometimes survive in zone 4 when it is provided with extra protection.

Can Thyme Survive Winter?

As I stated above, thyme is a very cold tolerant plant. It can survive in temperatures down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Some species can even survive down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit.

As long as you take care of thyme throughout the warmer months of the year, it should do just fine through the winter months. That is, as long as you live in zones 5-9. If you live in zones below 5, you’ll want to bring your thyme inside over winter.

Even though thyme is cold tolerant, there are things you can do to prepare it for the coming cold. Keeping your plant watered, pruned, and covered in mulch is most important in overwintering your plant.

What Is The Lowest Temperature That Thyme Can Survive?

The lowest temperatures that culinary or English thyme can survive is down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. These varieties are the exception to the rule though, because they can survive in zone 4.

Most thyme varieties, like lemon thyme and creeping thyme, can only survive down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive in zones 5 and above.

Still, -20 degrees Fahrenheit is extremely cold, so it’s impressive that thyme can survive these extreme temperatures and even produce foliage. It’s safe to say, then, that thyme will survive through winter unless you live where the winter becomes extremely harsh.

Should You Bring Thyme Inside In Winter?

Unless you live in hardiness zones less than 5, it’s not necessary to bring your thyme inside over winter.

However, if your thyme is outside, but is kept in a pot, you should bring it inside over winter. Being in a pot leaves a plant’s roots more vulnerable to the cold and frost. To protect your potted thyme from the cold, it’s best to bring it inside.

There is always the option to keep your thyme inside permanently as well. Thyme prefers warm whether and lots of sun. If you’re able to provide that for your thyme year-round, your plant will grow well during any season.

If you do choose to bring your thyme inside over winter, there are some things you can do to keep it thriving.

Care Guidelines for Keeping Your Thyme Plant Inside

Light Guidelines for Thyme Plants inside in Winter

Thyme loves lots of light. The best place to keep your thyme inside is next to a window that faces north. However, if you don’t have a window available, the plant can survive under indirect light as well.

Water Guidelines for Thyme Plants inside in Winter

Thyme shouldn’t be overwatered, and it’s especially important not to water it too much while inside. Only water thyme when you feel that the top inch of soil has become dry.

Fertilizer Guidelines for Thyme Plants inside in Winter

Fertilizer usually isn’t necessary either. But, if you want to give your plant an extra bit of nutrition, you can use quarter-strength fertilizer no more than 2 times over the winter.

Hardening Off Guidelines for Thyme Plants inside in Winter

You can take thyme back outside after the last threat of frost has passed. However, your thyme has grown accustomed to the indoor climate of your house. Because of this, it really should be hardened off before you replant it permanently outside.

Hardening off simply refers to the process of preparing your thyme from going inside to being outside.

To harden of your thyme, you’re going to place your pot of thyme outside in a location that is shaded and protected. This is usually a place like a porch. You’ll leave the pot outside for a few hours before bringing it back inside.

You’ll repeat this process for a few days. Each day, you’ll gradually increase the amount of time that your thyme is staying on the porch. Never leave your thyme outside overnight. This whole process will take between 3 days and a week.

Once your thyme has spent a full day outside in the protected area, it’s ready for more light. Repeat the above process, but use an area of your yard that is in full sunlight. Once this is completed, your thyme is ready to be moved back into your garden.

How To Protect Thyme Over Winter

Fortunately, thyme is a very cold tolerant plant, so it doesn’t need much protection. Still, it’s good practice to cover the roots with a bit of mulch to protect it from the winter cold.

I especially recommend this if you live in hardiness zone 4 and 5 as the frigid temperatures can be quite harsh on your thyme.

Mulching Outdoor Thyme Over Winter

When the temperatures start to drop, you’ll want to add 2-3 inches of mulch overtop of your thyme’s roots. This will keep the soil warm and protect the roots from frost.

For this same reason, you won’t want to apply mulch before the air becomes cold. Adding mulch too soon can heat up the soil too much and make your plants less cold tolerant.

To time this right, you’ll want to apply the mulch during a period of extended cold. This will keep the soil warm while also preventing the soil temperatures from fluctuating.

How To Prepare Thyme For Winter

Although thyme is very adept at surviving through the winter months, there are still things you can do to help it out. The best thing you can do for your thyme plant over winter is making sure the soil has good drainage and that you cover the roots with mulch.

We’ve covered why mulching is important above, and now we’ll go over the importance of water.

Water Thyme Over Winter

Thyme needs lots of water to be happy, so you shouldn’t starve it. One of the best ways to prepare your thyme for winter is to keep it hydrated before the cold months set in. Water your thyme adequately throughout the summer and fall months. That is one of the best things you can do to prepare your thyme for winter.

To add to that, make sure that your thyme is planted in well draining soil. Adequate watering doesn’t do any good if the thyme is planted in the wrong soil. Too much water in an ill-draining soil can cause the roots to rot on your thyme and the leaves to wilt.

If your thyme is planted in soil that doesn’t drain well, it likely won’t survive the winter. Water logged soil mixed with freezing temperatures doesn’t make a great combination.

Pruning Thyme to Prepare for Winter

Avoid pruning your plant too much during the late summer and fall months. Yes, pruning keeps your plant healthy and will encourage new growth. However, this is best done in spring and early summer. Clipping your plant too close to the winter months will leave the exposed stems more vulnerable to frost.

Light harvesting is okay if you need the leaves for cooking, but heavy pruning should be saved for the earlier months.

Does Thyme Grow In Winter?

Growing thyme in winter can be a bit tricky. Thyme is considered a semi-evergreen plant and is cold tolerant. Semi-evergreen means that, while it doesn’t grow its best during winter, you are still likely to see a bit of new growth.

Unlike most herbs that die back and go dormant over the winter, thyme will continue to grow. It just does it a bit more slowly.

Final Words on Helping Thyme Survive Winter Months

Fortunately, thyme is a cold tolerant plant. Unless you live in the coldest parts of the United States, your thyme will be just fine throughout the winter months. Still, you should keep your plant well watered and trimmed to prepare it for the coming cold. You should also be ready to cover it in mulch over winter, especially if you live in zones 4 or 5. Now that I have eased your mind, it’s time to get planting.

Want to learn more? Find out how much sun thyme needs here, how to dry thyme here and how tall thyme grows here. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post Can Thyme Survive Winter? Care Guide for Thyme appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Most of us have heard how quickly mint can spread and take over a garden…do you have to worry about that with thyme?Below, I cover how tall thyme gets including creeping thyme. I also discuss how long thyme takes to grow and tips to help it grow as big as possible. I also describe when and how to harvest thyme and how to keep it small if that’s what you want.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Why Grow Thyme?

Growing your own thyme is a great idea. So many people use thyme in their cooking: it’s a nice herb that adds a lot of flavor to different dishes. But, all cooks know that buying fresh herbs all the time can get expensive. If you have your own thyme plant at home, you’ll never have to worry about that cost again.

Thyme will usually continue to grow a few leaves throughout winter, so you can just harvest the sprigs as you need them. Or, if you like to be prepared, you can do a large harvest. The leaves from the larger harvest can then be dried or frozen to be used for later.

Even better, thyme is a very hardy plant. Just make sure you have the correct conditions for your thyme, plant it, and then leave it alone. Prune it a few times a year and it will be more than happy. Anyone can take care of thyme.

How Tall Does Thyme Get?

Fortunately, thyme is a pretty small shrub, so you don’t have to worry about it taking up too much space in your garden.

Generally, thyme can grow between 2-15 inches in height, depending on which kind of thyme you purchase. Still, the usual height for thyme is between 6-15 inches.

Regular thyme spreads about as much as it grows vertically. Most varieties will grow about 6-12 inches long. Thyme will continue to spread as long as you allow it, but it is a slow grower. It takes about one year for thyme to completely establish itself, and you’re not likely to see any spreading until the second year.

So, do you have to worry about out-of-control spreading like you do with mint? The answer is no. If your thyme begins to get too big for your liking, just trim it back.

How Tall Does Creeping Thyme Grow?

Creeping thyme is a bit different than other kinds of thyme. It will usually only grow to about 1-4 inches tall. It grows sideways more than it grows vertically, and can grow to 24 inches across or more.

How Long Does Thyme Take To Grow?

As I said above, thyme is a slow grower. It will take about a year for the plant to completely establish itself. You also won’t see much growth until the second year.

As far as propagation goes, it will take between 14-28 days for the seed to germinate. This is significantly slower than most herbs.

Tips To Help Thyme Grow As Big As Possible

Thyme, while hardy, tends to be fussy when you mess with it too much. It actually does best if you leave it alone.

Because of this, you’re going to want to be careful about how and where you plant it.

Make sure that you plant your thyme in a suitable place, and then leave it alone for the most part. If you do this, your plant should be happy and will grow well for you.

Sunlight Requirements to Grow Thyme

Thyme is a Mediterranean plant and likes a lot of sun. It does best when it’s planted directly in full sunlight.

To make the plant happy, choose a location that is constantly sunny and exposed. If you don’t have a spot like this, then you should probably keep it in a pot so that you can move it around during the day.

Indoors, thyme will do best in a sunroom or by a window. Just make sure that your thyme is receiving a full 8 hours of sunshine everyday. If for some reason your plant can’t get this inside naturally, you might need to purchase a grow light.

Soil Requirements to Grow Thyme

Contrary to what you would think would be best for a plant, thyme does best in less-than-hospitable soil. If you put it into well-nourished, moist soil, it’ll likely develop root rot and die.

Instead, you’ll choose a soil that is loamy or sandy. It does best in dry soil, and can even live in rocks and gravel. The soil should be well-draining because thyme is particularly vulnerable to overwatering and root rot.

I really recommend sticking with sand, but if you’d like to use soil, you can. There’s a strategy to using soil with thyme: layering. Break up the soil with layers of sand or gravel. This will help the water to move through the soil more quickly and will prevent the thyme from receiving too much water.

As far as pH goes, thyme does best in a pH between 6.0-8.0.

Spacing Requirements to Grow Thyme

Thyme spreads out more than it grows vertically. Because of this, you should provide plenty of space between your thyme plant and any other plants in your garden. At least 1 foot of space is ideal.

If you’re growing in a pot, I suggest getting a large pot so that your thyme can grow. A clay pot is the best thing for your thyme because it will absorb any excess moisture that your thyme doesn’t need.

Watering Requirements to Grow Thyme

Clearly, thyme doesn’t like very much water, but it still needs some to survive. You should water thyme only very occasionally. Once every other week is more than enough. Some people only water their thyme once a month.

Exactly how often you’re going to want to water will depend on your climate: how hot it is, how humid it is, and how much it rains.

As a general rule, you only want to water your thyme after the soil has become completely dry. When you notice the water is completely dry, you’ll then saturate the soil completely. Repeat this process after the soil has dried out again.

If you’re worried you’re not giving your thyme enough water, don’t. Thyme is naturally drought resistant and will do better with underwatering than it will with overwatering.

Temperature Requirements to Grow Thyme

Thyme is not very picky about temperature. It can thrive in almost any temperature as long as it’s not freezing and there is no frost. It can grow in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. Some species can also survive in zone 4.

However, it is happiest in climates that are hot and dry. It is a Mediterranean herb, after all. Thyme will grow best while in temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity Requirements to Grow Thyme

Like the temperature, thyme is not picky about humidity. It can grow in almost every climate as long as there is not frost.

However, thyme prefers a dry climate with little to no humidity. If it’s growing outside in a climate that is humid, it will more than likely be fine.

But if you’re growing it inside a humid house, you might want to invest in a dehumidifier. Also, avoid placing your plant in rooms that are naturally humid, like kitchens and bathrooms.

Fertilizer Requirements to Grow Thyme

Fertilizer is great for thyme and will help it grow more leaves and flowers. For the best results, you should use a fertilizer at the start of each spring. Just make sure not to use a full-strength fertilizer or you may find that the plant grows too much foliage. Instead, dilute the fertilizer to half-strength with water.

However, if you don’t want to use fertilizer, that’s fine too. Thyme naturally lives in nutrient-depleted conditions, so it will not suffer by not receiving extra nutrients.

Potting Guidance for Growing Thyme

Thyme is a fairly small plant, but you’ll still need to repot it as it grows. Initially, you’re okay to keep your young plant in a pot with about a 4-inch diameter. As the plant grows, though, you’ll need to upgrade it.

Thyme will give you a few warning signs when it needs to be planted into a larger container. You’ll begin to notice the stems are becoming woodier, and there will be less of the softer leaves and stems.

When you repot, you’ll also want to replace the soil. The thyme will have already depleted all the nutrients from the first batch of soil.

You should also consider what you plant near thyme. Read my guide to the best companion plants for thyme here.

When To Harvest Thyme

The best time to harvest thyme is just before the plant flowers. However, the leaves still stay good after flowering, so really, you can harvest at any time of the year.

When you go to harvest, you can either clip sprigs as needed, or you can harvest all at once.

It’s really good to keep up on your thyme and harvest it often to keep it growing. The more you trim and harvest it, the more it’s going to grow.

How To Harvest Thyme

Harvesting thyme is really easy. As I said, you can clip the sprigs as needed, or you can do large harvests a few times a year. If you choose to harvest your thyme all at once, be sure not to prune more than 1/3 of the plant. Pruning more than that can permanently damage the plant and prevent it from growing back properly the next year.

When you’re ready to harvest, you’re going to use pruning shears to cut. You can take what you like, but make sure you leave the stems at least 5 inches long. These portions will usually be tougher and woodier anyway. You only need to harvest the portions with leaves.

How To Best Keep Your Thyme Plant Small

Thyme really isn’t a very big plant to begin with, so you shouldn’t have to worry about size too much. However, the main things you can do to keep size down is to keep it in a smaller pot, and keep up with trimmings.

If you keep your thyme in a smaller pot, it’s overall health might suffer a bit, but it will be fine overall. The plant can only grow to the size of the pot, so this is a good way to keep the size down.

The best way to keep the plant’s size down is simply by keeping up on your pruning. Thyme will continue to spread as long as you allow it, so the only real way to keep it small is to prune it.

Now, pruning will encourage growth, but this new growth helps to keep your plant healthy. Sure, you’ll need to keep on top of it, but isn’t it worth it to have a healthy plant?

With some plants, people will provide them with less-than-ideal conditions. While not healthy, this is usually effective at keeping the plants smaller. This probably won’t work with thyme, though, because it’s already used to growing in harsh conditions.

Final Words on How Big Thyme Grows

Thyme is a very popular plant used in cooking all around the world. It’s a pretty, useful plant that stays on the smaller side. Thyme is a spreader more than anything, but it is slow growing, so you don’t need to worry about it taking over your garden. It’s also incredibly hardy, so you can pretty much plant it and leave it alone. Simply prune it a few times a year and you will have a happy plant that’s ready to produce for you.

Want to learn more? Find out if thyme can survive winter here and when to plant thyme here. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How Tall Does Thyme Grow? Thyme Growing Guide appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Below, I cover how much sun thyme needs, the best place to plant thyme, whether it will grow in shade as well as the sun requirements when growing thyme in a pot. I also discuss what other growing conditions thyme needs to thrive.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Why Grow Thyme?

Thyme is one of the most popular herbs to cook with, so it’s no wonder people like to grow it for themselves. It’s much easier and cheaper to grow your own thyme than it is to constantly purchase it at the store.

In cooking, thyme is commonly used as a seasoning to make soups, sauces, rice, vegetables, braises, and meat. It can also be used as a garnish to make dishes look nicer and smell more appealing.

Besides cooking, thyme has a few other uses as well.

It is commonly used as a preservative to keep meat and vegetables from going bad. This is because thyme has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that helps things last longer.

Thyme has also been used in traditional medicine. Some people use it in their food and tea as a natural health aid. Other times, it’s used in medicines like syrups and topical creams to treat ailments. It has been known to help things like an upset stomach, diarrhea, sore throat, coughing, respiratory infection, and heart disease.

In addition to that, thyme essential oils are often applied topically because they’re stronger and more concentrated. It’s thought that thyme oil can help with blood circulation, reducing scars, helping skin look healthier, and reducing hair loss.

Does Thyme Need Full Sun?

Thyme is an herb that is from the Mediterranean region, so it’s used to warm, dry climates with lots of sun. Because of this, thyme does best when it is in full sun throughout the day.

For best results, you should plant thyme in a location that is going to get almost constant full sunlight. This includes both indoor and outdoor plants. If you don’t have a spot like this, then you should probably plant your thyme in a pot. A pot will allow you to follow the sun throughout the day and move your plant as needed.

How Much Sun Does Thyme Need To Grow?

Thyme should be kept in full sunlight for 6-10 hours a day. Anything less than 6 hours will cause the plant to suffer. Anything more than 10 is likely okay, although you may have to water your plant more often.

10+ hours of sunlight a day will simply cause your thyme to grow more slowly. Some people will deliberately do this to delay the flowering process.

How Much Sun Does Creeping Thyme Need?

Creeping thyme has the same sunlight requirements as “regular” thyme.

It needs full sunlight for 6-10 hours a day.

Where Is The Best Place To Plant Thyme

Because thyme needs lots of sunlight, you should plant it in a location where it has almost constant access to the sun. Planting next to walls should generally be avoided as it may create too much shade.

If you’re planting your thyme indoors, make sure that it still has almost constant access to full sun. Next to a window is the best place for it. If you have a sunroom, that’s an even better location.

Will Thyme Grow In Shade?

It’s possible for thyme to grow in partial shade, but it won’t survive in full shade. Ideally, thyme shouldn’t receive full sun more than 10 hours a day, or it will slow it’s growth. So, partial shade can actually be a good thing as long as the thyme is still getting lots of sunlight most of the day.

However, thyme does need a lot of light and heat to survive, so it should never be planted in full shade.

What Are The Sun Requirements When Growing Thyme In A Pot?

The sun requirements are the same for growing thyme in a pot as it is for growing thyme in the garden. While in a pot, thyme still needs 6-10 hours of full sunlight a day.

The only difference is that you may need to water your potted thyme more often because the soil will dry out more quickly. Still, thyme is very drought resistant. It’s better to underwater than overwater it, so you shouldn’t be too worried about extra watering.

Can Thyme Grow During Winter?

Thyme is one of the best herbs for growing in cooler conditions. It does best in temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can survive in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that it can be grow in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. Some species can also be grown in zone 4.

Unlike most herbs that go dormant over winter, thyme will actually continue to grow. Granted, it will grow much more slowly, but it still grows.

Even though thyme can survive over winter, it’s still a good idea to prepare your plant for the cold. Pruning it and mulching the roots are good ways to keep your plant healthy over the cold winter months.

Now, if you grow your thyme indoors, it will continue growing normally throughout the entire duration of winter. Plants can’t tell what season it is when you keep them inside.

To learn more about thyme surviving wintertime, check out our full article here.

What Soil Conditions Does Thyme Need?

Thyme is actually pretty picky about what kind of soil it grows in. Oddly enough, though, the worse the soil is, the better it is for your plant.

Thyme is used to warm, dry conditions. Because of this, it’s also used to dry soil that doesn’t contain many nutrients.

The best soil for thyme is loamy or sandy soil. The soil needs to be well-draining, and it can even survive in rocky and gravely conditions.

Although thyme needs some water to survive, water really isn’t thyme’s friend. Thyme is very susceptible to overwatering. Using soil that holds in water can cause root rot, or may cause the plant to drown.

Thyme can also survive in a wide range of pH’s. The pH of the soil should be between 6.0-8.0.

As far as fertilizer goes, it’s not necessary for thyme. Thyme is used to growing in nutrient-deficient locations and does not need fertilizer to survive.

However, if you’d like it to grow quicker, you can use half-strength fertilizer on your thyme. Just make sure to dilute the fertilizer with water to half-strength.

Read more about the best soil for thyme here.

Other Growing Conditions for Healthy Thyme

Besides sunlight and soil requirements, what else does thyme need to grow?

Water Conditions for Growing Thyme

Thyme doesn’t need much water to survive, and actually, less is more. If you’re ever worried that your thyme isn’t getting enough water, you probably shouldn’t be. Thyme is better off when it’s underwatered than when it’s overwatered.

As a guide, you’ll only want to water your thyme once the soil has completely dried out. Completely saturate the soil, and then let it go until it’s completely dried out again. This will usually take about 2 weeks, but may take up to a month depending on your climate.

Spacing Conditions for Growing Thyme

If you’re planning on growing other plants, make sure there’s plenty of space between those plants and your thyme.

Thyme doesn’t grow very large, but it spreads out. You’ll want to give the vines plenty of space to spread, so you should plant thyme at least one foot away from any other plants.

Temperature & Humidity Conditions for Growing Thyme

Thyme is not very picky about temperature and can survive in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. However, your thyme will grow best in temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Similarly, thyme isn’t very picky about the humidity. It does best in dry climates with low humidity, so you should provide that if you can. However, it can survive in areas with significant humidity as well.

You should also consider what you plant near thyme. Read my guide to the best companion plants for thyme here.

Final Words on How Much Sun Thyme Needs

As you can see, thyme is a very hardy plant, but it still needs certain conditions to grow happy and healthy. Thyme can survive in partial shade, but you should never plant it in complete shade. To grow its best, it really needs to receive full sun for 6-10 hours a day. Thyme is a great, easy plant to grow in your garden or kitchen. Simply make sure it gets lots of light, has well-draining soil, and gets watered occasionally. Do this and you’ll have lots of thyme to harvest for years to come.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn how big thyme grows, here for when to plant creeping thyme or here for what you can do with thyme flowers. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How Much Sun Does Thyme Need? Where To Plant Thyme appeared first on Gardening Chief.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

What Are Thyme Flowers?

Throughout March to September, thyme plants will produce small, purple flowers. The flowers can be found growing at the top of the stems and are shaped like a sphere. Thyme loves to bloom, so you will find lots of flowers on the plant, and they last from early spring to late summer.

Besides looking beautiful, these flowers have a kind of balsamic scent to them mixed with mint and citrus.

Are Thyme Flowers Edible?

Thyme flowers are a beautiful lavender coloration that smell just as nice as they look. But, they don’t just smell and look nice, they taste good too.

Most thyme flowers are used as a garnish, attached to the stem. Even though they’re typically used as a garnish for decoration, you can still eat it. Sometimes, chefs will crush up the petals of the flowers and sprinkle them over a dish.

What Do Thyme Flowers Taste Like?

Thyme flowers taste just as good as they look, why else would cooks add them to their dishes? The flowers taste lemony, and many chefs use that to their advantage to create a yummy butter.

How To Use Thyme Flowers

Yes, thyme flowers bring a nice aesthetic to your garden, and they taste good too. But, there are other things that thyme flowers can be used for.

Use Thyme Flowers for Attracting Pollinators

Thyme flowers are pretty, and they smell really nice. They don’t just smell nice to us as humans, though. Many pollinators love the smell of thyme and will flock to your garden when the plant blooms.

Pollinators are great for your garden because they’ll help your other plants too. If you’ve had trouble getting pollinators to come to your other plants, try planting some thyme close by. The pollinators will likely visit the other plants in the vicinity after it’s finished with the thyme.

Use Thyme Flowers for Producing Seeds

The seeds of the thyme plant come from the flowers. When thyme blooms, it means that the plant is just about at the end of its growing cycle for that year. If you’d like to grow more thyme in the future, you can harvest the seeds from the flowers.

You’ll need to wait for the flowers to die before harvesting them. But, once you harvest the flowers, you can place them in a paper bag and leave them to dry for a few weeks. Once the flowers are dry, you’ll be able to crush the petals with your fingers and extract the seeds.

Use Thyme Flowers In Cooking

Of course, just like with the leaves, the flowers can be used for cooking, but we’ve already discussed this. The flavor of the leaves grows the longer the flowers have been growing on the plant. If you’re planning to use the flowers in your cooking, it’s best to harvest them at about three weeks of age.

Some of the most popular things to make using thyme flowers are roasted veggies and salads. The thyme flowers can be wrapped around the vegetables and tied up with a string. You can then grill them to make yummy roasted vegetables.

Use Thyme Flowers for Tea

Many people like to use thyme flowers to make tea. It’s often a better option than using the leaves because the leaves have a stronger flavor. If the taste of the thyme leaves is just a bit too much for you, try using the flowers instead.

Thyme tea is great to drink on a regular basis because it has nutrients that can help keep you healthy.

Use Thyme Flowers to Decorate Your House

Thyme flowers are, after all, flowers. You can pick them straight off your plant and use them to decorate your house. Put them in vases on your table. Fill a bowl with the petals. Hang them on your walls. The choice is yours.

If you want an even prettier arrangement, you can mix the thyme flowers with other kinds of flowers. This is quite easy to do if you’re growing other plants in your garden too. The flowers from mint, sage, and oregano go quite nicely with thyme.

Use Thyme Flowers for Crafts

Many people who are crafty will use dried flowers to decorate their homes or make gifts. One good idea is pressing the leaves until they’ve dried out. You can then use the dried flowers in a variety of different crafts. Many people will create designs with the flowers and then frame them.

Similarly, you can create shadow boxes for a bit more depth. You can even make your own phone case by gluing the dried flowers inside a clear phone case.

You can also create garland with dried flowers — this is a particularly good idea for parties and weddings. You simply hang the flowers up to dry for a few weeks. After that, you can tie some string to the stems and create your own natural garland.

You can even preserve entire flowers without flattening. This is a great idea if you like to create bouquets, but prefer natural flowers to fake ones. It’s certainly easier and cheaper than picking fresh flowers all the time.

Similarly, you can dry whole flowers and use them to make terrarium decorations. Put the flowers into a terrarium with a bit of moss and some other decorations, and you’ll have a lovely flower centerpiece.

For more ideas on how to make flower crafts, visit this website.

Leave Thyme Flowers on the PlantQ

You don’t have to do anything with the flowers if you don’t want to. The flowers are pretty by themselves and will make your garden look nice when they bloom on your thyme plant.

Many people like to just let them bloom and admire them while they’re there. As the season goes on, they will eventually die away and then you can wait for them next spring.

Final Words on Eating Thyme Flowers

Most people who cook regularly know that thyme is a great herb to use to spice up any dish. But, not many people know that you can eat the flowers in addition to the leaves. The flowers have a light, lemony flavor that can make many dishes taste wonderful. If you don’t want to eat the flowers, don’t worry. There are other things you can use them for as well. You can use them for crafts, or to decorate your home. You can use them in tea, or to attract pollinators to your other plants. Or, you can simply leave them be and just admire them blooming on the plant.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn how big thyme grows or here for how much sun thyme needs. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post Can You Eat Thyme Flowers? appeared first on Gardening Chief.