In the Roman era, thyme was thought to be an antidote for poison and was commonly consumed both before and after meals as a way to ward off any illness. Thyme. Growing thyme indoors requires plenty of sunshine and well drained soil. 5 out of 5 stars (53) 53 reviews $ 1.77 Bestseller ... because here they come. Growing thyme inside will require temperatures in the daytime around 60 F. (16 C.) or more. Thyme is also prone to whiteflies and mealybugs when kept indoors—to prevent and treat infestations, use neem oil where necessary, being careful to follow label instructions. Gradually move it to full sun. Not every herb thrives indoors. An excellent container for growing thyme is a clay planter. If growing thyme in colder locations, you’ll likely need to bring the plant indoors for the winter. Indoor herb gardens not only provide fresh herbs at your fingertips, but also fill your home with fragrance and greenery. You can grow the regular variety of thyme or lemon-thyme for a bright, citrusy flavor that’s delectable with roast chicken. Thyme is a well-known sun lover, preferring to be planted or placed in a spot with access to full light nearly all day long. A good way to manage your culprit and the plant is to ensure the soil around it is pretty rocky (I use gravel outside or small river rocks inside) which helps drainage and dogs don't seem to … This makes it very easy to move thyme as it grows larger, if the roots stick out the bottom of the pot it’s time to move it! Thyme is both a culinary and aromatic herb. Whether you choose to do so indoors or out, select a soil mixture that is very dry and well-draining, as thyme is particularly susceptible to root rot and overwatering. To ensure that you always have a fresh supply of this versatile herb, we bring you some great Thyme Growing Tips!. Container grown thyme needs to be repotted every season or two depending on the size of the pot and rate of growth. Thyme and rosemary make ideal companion plants when grown in a container since they both have the same soil, sun, food, and moisture needs. As a houseplant, thyme can be grown all year long. Trim plants after flowering with secateurs or shears to keep them compact and to promote fresh, new growth. Lighting Resource Guide. If you're growing a thyme plant indoors, stash it on a sunny windowsill or, even better, in a room that catches a lot of rays throughout the day, such as a sunroom. (That means keeping your plant out of rooms that tend to be more humid, like kitchens or bathrooms.). For best results, plant them in soil that is about 70°F (21°C). Plant each division in its own pot, allowing it to rest a week before watering. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Fresh available herbs are a delight for the home cook. Your thyme will thrive best in a hot, arid climate that mimics its Mediterranean roots. Growing thyme inside is one of the easiest indoor herbs to cultivate. An excellent container for growing thyme is a clay planter. Keep reading to learn how to grow thyme in your garden and reap the rewards of this flavorful herb! As one of the world's oldest aromatherapy and medicinal plants, there are many varieties of thyme. Give plants a liquid feed during summer to improve growth, flavour and flowering. Thyme plants divide easily when repotted to reproduce even more plants. Soil The worse your soil is, the better your thyme plant may actually grow. Temperature: Thyme is a hardy plant. You can also use small plants dug from the garden. In outdoor gardens, it's frequently used in xeriscaping in hot, dry locations where other plants have trouble thriving. Once established, thyme plants are drought-resistant and often prefer to be under-watered rather than over-watered. Thyme likes to have full to partial sun outdoors, which means that indoors we need to put it in a south-facing window or give it additional light with plant lights. Originally native to southern Europe, thyme can be grown successfully indoors or outdoors in a variety of areas, needing only basic attention in order to thrive. If you are buying small plants, it’s very important to check for pests, especially aphids (sticky droppings) and spider mites (fine webs on and between the leaves). Space the seedlings 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) apart. Thyme plants are relatively compact herbs that prefer to live in soils with low nutrients and little moisture so they do not naturally grow quickly although creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) does to to grow and spread quickly with full sun. Thyme is a plant that requires the bare minimum attention. Sign up for our newsletter. When growing outdoors your plants will need up to 10 hours of direct sun during the day. 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