Thyme is one of the most popular aromatic herbs in the kitchen and also in the essential oils! The good thing about thyme is that growing a plant can be done both indoors and outdoors. To grow thyme indoors , it's not much more complicated as you will see. What must be remembered for thyme to grow in good conditions, whether indoors or outdoors, is that it receives its dose of sun and water! Thyme is one of the varieties that requires the least maintenance, in fact it tolerates all types of soil, even poor or with pebbles. Thyme is both drought and heat resistant. Exposure to the sun is still necessary, on the other hand growing in light and well-drained soil is still preferable.
Discover our advice on caring for the thyme plant and start growing your thyme in the kitchen, in a pot at home, directly indoors, without a balcony or garden, even if you don't have a green thumb.
Your organic thyme crop will spend both spring and winter inside your home!
| Exposure | full sun |
| watering | no watering except in case of drought |
| Harvest | all year round, keep dry |
Things to remember about thyme
Thyme has many health benefits, its name comes from the Latin thymus officinalis which refers to its medicinal properties. It promotes digestion and calms the body. Thyme is also used in health and well-being as an essential oil because it is an immune stimulant or a tonic, to name only these benefits. Thyme is not the only aromatic herb to benefit from therapeutic effects and to be used as an essential oil, rosemary also has beneficial properties.
Where to place your pot of thyme to promote growth?
Indeed, unlike some aromatic herbs, thyme requires exposure to full sun. Prefer an exposure with a lot of light, so it can be a bright room or near a window.
If the plant has direct exposure to the sun, it is important to water it regularly and to make sure that the soil in the pot is porous and well drained. This prevents the plant from receiving excess moisture because the plant fears it. Place the pot near a window to give your plant the best development possible.
Thyme develops very well in a warm environment and, on the other hand, tolerates the cold less well, so it is perfect for indoors! You should therefore be able to enjoy it all year round, and keep your footing from one year to the next.
How to plant thyme in a pot for successful growth?
Here is a list of steps to follow when planting thyme in a pot and growing it indoors:
- Get thyme seeds from which you know the origin, this will ensure plants corresponding to what you want and adapted to the environment of their growth. You can go to a garden center or a specialized shop to select from the approximately 350 varieties of thyme seeds , the ones you want to plant. Be careful, the seeds must have been harvested in the last past months to ensure the best possible harvest!
- Thyme does not fear drought but on the other hand too clayey soil which will retain water will not be beneficial to it. Remember to plant your seeds in well- drained, porous soil.
- Before filling your pot three-quarters full of soil, lightly moisten the soil with water.
- Once you have your moist potting soil, fill the pot three-quarters full with it. If you're using a pot with a hole in the bottom to drain the water, consider placing a saucer under your pot to prevent water from leaking all over the place.
- Arrange about 3 seeds in a hole you make with your finger. It is important to plant several seeds in a single pot, to ensure that there is germination. You won't need to push the seeds too deep, on the contrary! Do not bury them under more than one cm of soil.
- Once you have your seeds placed in your hole, cover them with a little soil, 5mm will be more than enough to protect the seeds and promote their germination .
- Then spray water on the soil to slightly moisten the surface of the pot. The pot of your indoor vegetable garden should be placed in a place with sun because thyme loves it.
5 to 6 weeks later, your plant should already have grown and can eventually repot if you wish. The time it takes for the seeds to germinate will depend on the amount of sun, temperature and water the seeds have received. Don't be in a hurry, it takes time! Just make sure the soil stays moist and you have enough light that reflects directly into the pot.
How to grow your thyme plant?
As a general rule, water your thyme plant as soon as the soil is dry to moisten it a little. Water should pour at the foot of the plant. By aiming directly at the soil, the roots will be able to properly absorb the water.
Artificial light: your best friend if your exposure to the sun is not enough for your light-hungry thyme plant. Not just any light will do though, you need a grow light specifically designed for this purpose. You can also combine your lamp with a timer that will automate the installation by giving cycles between 10 and 12 hours of artificial light to the thyme plant . The stronger the light from the lamp, the closer the lamp will need to be to the plant. Place the light about 30cm from your basil plant for strong fluorescent lighting.
If you are growing several plants in a single pot, be aware that thyme goes well with other aromatic herbs or vegetable plants , but be sure to let your plants breathe well. This means spacing thyme plants at least 15cm apart to allow them room to grow properly. To space the plants, you will have to uproot one very carefully and decide whether to replant it further in the pot if space permits or place it in another pot directly.
If your thyme plant is wilting and seems to have a little softness, it is often because the plant lacks water and needs to be watered. Do not water too much at once, it should not be drowned! Wait until the water you just poured is absorbed before watering more. Remove dead leaves or branches to allow the plant to start on a healthy footing.
List of steps to harvest thyme leaves:
- Harvest your thyme leaves before it begins to flower because that's when the leaves have their best shape.
- So eliminate the flowers if your plant has started to flower to concentrate the plant on leaf growth.
- Trim your stems as you go. Prefer to pick according to your needs to have leaves with the maximum flavor in your kitchen. Cutting the stems of your thyme will not harm your plant.
- On the other hand, do not harvest more than a third of the plant at once to leave the plant with the resources necessary for its growth.
There you go, you now have all the keys to growing thyme in pots indoors !
