Thyme
Fragrant perennial herb
The savoury taste of thyme has made it a classic in the kitchen. It is an easy-to-grow herb with evergreen foliage and bright purple flowers. On hot summer days, it spreads an irresistible scent in the garden.
Thyme for courage and fragrance
The spicy thyme is a hardy ground cover that looks great in a rock garden or as a border plant. It is a semi-shrub that grows 20-40 cm high.
In Sweden, thyme has been cultivated since the 15th century. But thyme has been used for at least five thousand years, including as incense and for its antiseptic properties. It was also thought to give strength and courage. This made the plant popular not least among soldiers. There was also a tradition of embroidering the image of thyme on the clothes of men going into battle. A more peaceful use of thyme was to simply wear sprigs in your hair to smell good. The leaves were also used as a spice or mixed into massage oil and bath water.
Sowing thyme
- precultivate thyme
Precultivate thyme indoors from February. The seeds are small and light-growing. Place them on moist seed soil and press lightly. Cover the seed with a transparent lid, plastic film with air holes or a thin layer of sand. Keep the seed moist. Have the seeds germinate after 1-3 weeks.
Once the seedlings have emerged, they thrive best in bright, cool conditions. The earlier in the year you sow, the greater the need to give the plants extra light. This will make them sturdy and compact instead of gangly. Once they have a few leaves, the plants can be moved to their own pots. Plant out in the country when the risk of frost is over. Keep a distance of about 20 cm between the plants.
- Direct sow thyme
Thyme can also be direct sown in the country from May. Clear the soil of weeds, water and prick out the seeds in rows or scatter over an area for broadcasting.
- Growing thyme indoors
Thyme can also be grown indoors. Thyme, rosemary, sage and lavender work well together to create a small Mediterranean-inspired herb garden in the kitchen window. During the winter months, the harvest is best with plant lighting.
Undemanding and hardy
Plant the thyme plants about 20-30 cm apart. It is an easy-care and undemanding plant that grows well in most locations, but prefers sun and well-drained soil. Thyme tolerates drought well and can therefore be planted alongside other Mediterranean plants in lean, dry locations where it can be difficult to get other plants to thrive.
Like many fragrant herbs, thyme can deter insect pests. So plant a few thyme plants here and there in the vegetable garden, especially among the cabbages that may need some protection.
Thyme – not just for pea soup
Harvest spicy thyme continuously. The flavour is best before flowering. Thyme is one of the herbs that retains its flavour very well when dried, so you can use the leaves fresh or dried.
Thyme adds flavour to many dishes – stews, soups, pies and gratins. Oven-roasted vegetables are a feast of aromas and flavours with a few sprigs of thyme and rosemary. Leave the thyme in from the start when cooking. This gives it time to unfold its full palette of flavours. Thyme is also a fantastic flavour enhancer in vinegar and oil.
Thyme’s expectorant properties have made it an active ingredient in several medicines. So try thyme tea for coughs – or drink it just for the flavour. It is delicious on its own, but can also be mixed with mint and nettle, for example. Such a tea blend can bring summer to life in the middle of a cold winter. Thyme is also a beneficial and wonderfully fragrant herb for massage oils, foot baths and baths.
Author: Johanna Damm
Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra
Last updated 2022-10-14