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Thyme growing in a garden
Perennial herb

Thyme plant profile

Thymus vulgaris

A perennial herb for full sun.

Last updated .

When to plant

When to plant Thyme

Plant divisions or cuttings in spring once hard frost has passed; thyme establishes far more easily this way than from seed. As plants get woody, renew them by cutting back hard in early spring.

The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.

Open Thyme in my garden calendar

Shows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun
Lifecycle
Perennial

Common problems

Watch for these

Also watch for: poor drainage, woody growth.

Evidence trail

Evidence behind this profile

Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.

  1. Thymus vulgaris

    NC State Extension. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-07-26.

  2. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) entry

    ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.