Garden Thyme _ Thymus vulgaris

Thymus vulgaris

Family

Lamiaceae

Origin

Southern Europe

Description

Thyme is an evergreen herb with culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. The thyme plant is a versatile and lovely plant to grow both in an herb garden and in your garden in general.

The leaves are curled, elliptically shaped and very small, measuring about one-eighth of an inch long and one-sixteenth of an inch wide. The upper leaf is green-grey in color on top, while the underside is a whitish color.

Thyme is used as condiment in various cooking dishes due to its aromatic flavour which blends with the dish. It is usually added to flavour savoury soups, meat and stews.

In medicinal purposes thyme is considered as antiseptic and used as main ingredient in mouth washes.

Thyme retains its flavour on drying better than many other herbs.

Environment

The plant should be kept in hot, sunny location with well-drained soil. It cannot grow in the shade.

Growing thyme in poor soil with little water will actually cause the thyme to grow better.

Landscape Uses

Thyme herb is an excellent choice for xeriscaping or low water landscapes.