🌿 Thyme

Thymus vulgaris
herbs Perennial herb
Illustration of Thyme
☀️ Sun
Full sun; 6-8 hours daily. Essential for oil production.
💧 Water
Drought-tolerant; water sparingly once established. Let soil dry completely between watering.
🗺️ Zones
USDA zones 5-9 as perennial; elsewhere as annual
🪴 Soil Type
Well-draining, sandy or loamy soil; pH 6.0-8.0. Tolerates poor, rocky soil. Avoid heavy clay.
🧪 Soil pH
6.0-8.0 (prefers alkaline, well-drained, sandy/rocky soil; excellent drainage essential)
📏 Spacing
12-24 inches apart depending on variety
📐 Height
6-12 inches (creeping varieties 2-4 inches)
📅 Days to Maturity
90-95 days from seed

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ ["Leaves"🍽️ "Flowers"]

🤝 Companions (8)

🤝 Cabbage/Brassicas
Repels cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, and cabbage white butterflies. One of the best brassica companions.
🤝 Tomatoes
Repels tomato hornworms and whiteflies; improves tomato flavor.
Repels garden pests that target eggplant, especially flea beetles.
🤝 Strawberries
Deters slugs and snails; ground-cover habit suppresses weeds around strawberries.
🤝 Roses
Repels blackfly and other rose pests; traditional companion in English gardens.
Shared Mediterranean growing conditions; combined aromatic pest deterrence.
Similar cultural needs; combined strongly aromatic pest-repelling effect.
Mutual pest deterrence; both attract beneficial pollinators.

⚠️ Keep Apart (2)

Can compete for space and resources; different watering needs.
⚠️ Water-loving vegetables
Thyme requires dry conditions; wet companions cause root rot.

💊 Medicinal Uses

{"conditions_treated": ["Respiratory infections (bronchitis, coughs, whooping cough, chest congestion)", "Sore throat and laryngitis", "Digestive issues (indigestion, gas, intestinal parasites)", "Fungal infections (athlete's foot, ringworm, candida)", "Bacterial infections (powerful antiseptic)", "Oral health (gingivitis, bad breath)", "Skin conditions (acne, wounds, eczema)", "Muscle pain and rheumatism"], "preparation_methods": ["Tea: 1-2 tsp dried thyme steeped 10-15 minutes; for coughs, colds, and digestive issues", "Thymol mouthwash: Strong infusion or diluted essential oil as gargle for sore throat", "Steam inhalation: Fresh/dried thyme in hot water for respiratory congestion", "Tincture: 1:5 in 45% alcohol; 2-4ml 3x daily for respiratory infections", "Infused oil: Thyme in olive oil for topical antibacterial/fungal application", "Bath: Strong infusion added to bathwater for rheumatism and muscle pain", "Syrup: Thyme honey syrup (oxymel) for persistent coughs"], "active_compounds": ["Thymol", "Carvacrol", "Flavonoids", "Rosmarinic acid", "Tannins"], "toxicity_warnings": "Generally safe in culinary amounts. Essential oil is very concentrated \u2014 must be diluted. Avoid medicinal doses during pregnancy. Large internal doses of essential oil can cause nausea, dizziness, or thyroid suppression. Do not use essential oil internally without professional guidance."}

📜 History & Traditional Uses

{"medieval": "Symbol of courage \u2014 knights wore thyme sprigs embroidered by ladies. Used during the Black Death in herbal protective sachets. Burned as fumigant to purify air. Used in embalming.", "ancient": "Ancient Egyptians used thyme in embalming. Greeks burned it as incense in temples; 'thymos' means courage. Roman soldiers bathed in thyme for vigor.", "folk_medicine": "Traditional European remedy for 'chest complaints' and whooping cough. Thyme honey was a standard cough remedy. Used to treat intestinal worms in children. Placed under pillows to prevent nightmares."}