How to grow Thyme in Australia
Thyme is a tough, low, woody Mediterranean herb with tiny aromatic leaves and masses of small flowers loved by bees. Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is the kitchen staple, and there are lemon, creeping and other flavoured types. Give it full sun and sharp drainage, water it sparingly, and it gives sprigs all year.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Thyme in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to October | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to October | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to October | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to October | Frost-hardy perennial. Melbourne ideal. Extend window. Sow year-round in mild seasons. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to October | |
| Perth & WA | March to October | |
| Tasmania | March and April, September to November | Plant Sep to Nov or Mar to Apr. Fully hardy. Pick year-round. |
| Canberra & ACT | March to October | Thyme is hardy perennial; sow spring-autumn; thrives in Canberra's cold; excellent for culinary use year-round. |
| North Queensland | May to October | Dry season main window. Perennial shrub; established plants tolerate tropical conditions. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to October | Dry season main window. Perennial shrub; established plants tolerate tropical conditions. |
Where to plant
Thyme needs full sun and well-drained, even gritty, soil. It suffers far more from overwatering than from drought, and wet roots, especially in winter or humid summers, are the most common way to lose it. Raised beds, rockeries, path edges and pots all suit it. Lean soil gives the best flavour.
In cooler areas, pull mulch back from the plants in winter so the crown stays dry.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra: plant from March to October. In humid subtropical summers, give it the airiest, best-drained spot.
- Hobart: plant in March and April or from September to November. Fully hardy and picks all year.
- North Queensland and Darwin: plant in the dry season, from May to October, in a pot or raised bed that drains fast.
Choosing a variety
- Common thyme is the classic culinary thyme, an upright, bushy plant to about 30 cm.
- Lemon thyme has a strong lemon scent and suits chicken, fish and tea.
- Creeping thymes form low mats for between pavers and over walls; some are culinary and some mainly ornamental.
How to plant
- Start with a nursery plant or a cutting. Seed is fine and slow, taking up to three weeks to germinate.
- If sowing, press the seed onto the surface of seed-raising mix and barely cover it. Keep it lightly moist and warm.
- Plant in full sun in well-drained soil, 20 to 30 cm apart.
- Water in, then water only when the soil has dried out.
Watering and feeding
Water young plants regularly until they establish. After that, water sparingly, about once a week in hot weather and much less in cool weather, and let the soil dry between waterings. Never let it sit wet.
Feed very little. A light liquid feed or compost tea in spring and after flowering is plenty; rich soil makes it soft and less flavoursome.
Pruning and care through the year
- Trim the plant lightly after flowering to keep it compact and bushy.
- Thyme goes woody and sparse in the centre after a few years. Cut back leggy plants, but not into bare old wood, and replace old plants from cuttings or divisions every three or four years.
- Leave some flowers for bees; thyme flowers are rich in nectar.
Harvesting
Cut sprigs at any time once the plant is established. The flavour is strongest just before flowering. Snip soft stems rather than pulling, and the plant regrows.
Sprigs keep up to two weeks in the fridge, loosely wrapped. Thyme dries very well: hang bunches somewhere warm, dark and airy, then strip the leaves into a sealed jar.
Growing in pots
Thyme is ideal for pots, from a small 15 cm pot to a 30 cm pot or trough of mixed herbs. Use a free-draining mix with added grit, put the pot in full sun and water only when the mix is dry.
Using it
Use thyme in stews, soups, stocks, roasts, stuffings, marinades and tomato sauces, and with mushrooms and roast vegetables. It holds its flavour well in long cooking. Lemon thyme suits fish and chicken. A tea of fresh thyme leaves with lemon and honey is a traditional remedy for a sore throat.
Propagation
Take 5 to 8 cm softwood cuttings from new growth in spring or early summer and set them in gritty potting mix. Spreading types can also be layered by pegging a stem onto the soil until it roots, or divided in spring.
Companion planting
Thyme is low and tough, so it edges beds and fills gaps, and its flowers bring bees to the garden.
Good companions
- Cabbage Listed by Yates as a companion; low thyme grows happily along the edge of a cabbage bed.
- Strawberry A low groundcover partner for a sunny bed, with flowers that draw bees to the strawberries.
Pests and diseases
Thyme has almost no pest problems. Too much water is the main threat.
Thyme is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Root rot Plants brown and die back from the centre or the base in wet, heavy soil or after a wet winter. Improve drainage and water less.
- Grey mould Grey, fuzzy mould in the dense centre of the plant in damp, humid weather. Trim for air flow.
Common questions
Why is my thyme dying?
Overwatering and poor drainage are the most common causes. Thyme rots in wet, heavy soil, especially over winter or in humid weather. Grow it in gritty, sharp-draining soil or a pot in full sun, and water only when the soil is dry.
How often should I water thyme?
Sparingly. Water young plants until they are established, then about once a week in hot weather and much less in cool weather.
Why is my thyme woody?
Thyme naturally gets woody with age. Trim it lightly after flowering every year to keep it bushy, and replace old plants from cuttings every few years.
Can I grow thyme in a pot?
Yes, it is one of the best pot herbs. Use a free-draining mix with grit, a sunny spot and little water.
When should I plant thyme?
In most regions, from autumn to spring (March to October). In the tropics, plant in the dry season. Pick your region at the top of the page for the months.
How do I dry thyme?
Hang small bunches upside down somewhere warm, dark and airy until crisp, then strip the leaves and store them in a sealed jar.
Sources we checked: Sustainable Gardening Australia: Thyme; Yates: How to grow thyme; Sustainable Gardening Australia: Growing culinary herbs.