Thymus coccineus, the red creeping thyme, is probably one of the most well known of all the thymes. Magenta coloured blooms hover over a delicate very low-growing and well behaved but extremely tough plant. Excellent for a thyme lawn or planted among stone pavers or flagstones.
What is the best variety of thyme?
Top 10 Thyme Varieties
- Creeping Pink Thyme.
- Elfin Thyme.
- Juniper Thyme.
- Lavender Thyme.
- Italian Oregano Thyme.
- Silver Thyme.
- Caraway Thyme.
- Pennsylvania Dutch Tea Thyme. As its name suggests, Pennsylvania Dutch Tea is perfect (fresh or dried) for tea-brewing, and can be substituted for any recipe calling for English thyme.
Is thyme a hardy herb?
A low-growing hardy perennial, thyme is a fragrant herb with small, fragrant leaves and thin, woody stems.
Is French thyme Hardy?
Many gardeners can also plant thyme in the early fall, as long as the plants have three or four weeks before the first frost to become established. Oregano-scented and caraway thymes are the hardiest of the four, thriving in areas where winter lows drop to the single digits. French thyme is the least hardy.
What is the lowest temperature that thyme tolerate?
Culinary or English thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is hardy to zone 4 (temperatures down to -30 degrees F.).
What is the difference between thyme and French thyme?
French thyme is a variety of English thyme that has narrower, grey-green leaves and a slightly sweeter flavor. It is often preferred by chefs, and is excellent for seasoning meat, fish, soup, and vegetables. Just remember that its English counterpart is not only more robust, but has better cold tolerance.
What’s the difference between English thyme and German thyme?
French thyme is also called summer thyme and it offers a flavor that is slightly subtler than that of English thyme. German thyme has smaller, slightly rounded leaves than the other varieties, but the foliage is packed with lots of flavor. German thyme is also called winter thyme because it is very cold hardy thymes.
Can thyme survive the winter?
Tender outdoor herbs
Herbs like bay, sage and thyme are hardy enough to survive the winter outside, but will not grow. If you want to harvest from them, protect them against the coldest weather. You can move plants into a coldframe, or an unheated greenhouse or conservatory. Make sure to ventilate them on milder days.
Can thyme tolerate frost?
Thyme is a member of the mint family and is a hardy perennial that can survive a deep freeze. It will even stay green through the winter. Give your thyme a sunny location and well-draining soil and it will continue to grow all year long.
What herbs can stay outside in winter?
Cold-hardy herbs, such as chives, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme, can often survive cold-winter temperatures while continuing to produce flavorful foliage, as long as they are provided with some protection or grown indoors.
Does thyme grow back after cutting?
Thyme grows back after cutting, and often grows back fuller and stronger. To make sure your plant bounces back, remove only the softest, greenest stems from the plant when harvesting. Never cut past the woody part of the stem. This is the place where new growth occurs.
Does French thyme spread?
Plant will reach about 12″ tall and spread to 12–18″ wide. It is well-adapted to a dry, Mediterranean climate.
How long do thyme plants live?
Thyme is a perennial herb that often only lives for 5 or 6 years even with good care. After 3 years thyme plants growth tends to slow down and produce less leaves with a weak aroma and inferior flavour compared to younger thyme plants.
Does thyme come back every year?
A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.
How do you overwinter thyme?
Protect Perennial Herbs
Perennial herbs, such as chives, lavender, oregano, thyme, overwinter well in the ground. In most areas simply wait until a few hard freezes and then cut back tall herbs to within 4 to 6 inches of the ground.
When should I plant thyme?
Plant thyme in spring once chances of frost have passed. Space thyme plants 12 to 24 inches apart in a very sunny area with fertile, well-drained soil with a pH close to 7.0. Before planting in-ground, improve your existing soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter.
How hardy is German thyme?
Thyme is very hardy and will grow under most conditions. Thyme is a Mediterranean plant and likes warm, dry conditions. Plant outdoors once the soil reaches 60˚F. It does best in full sun, but will tolerate some shade.
What type of thyme is most common?
While there are a plethora of thyme varieties, here is a list of some of the most common:
- Common thyme (T. vulgaris) – Common thyme has a prostrate form with yellow and variegated foliage available; used in cooking.
- Lemon thyme (T. x.
- Woolly thyme (T.
- Creeping thyme (T.
- Wild thyme (T.
- Elfin thyme (T.
Does thyme raise blood pressure?
Thyme is a flavorful herb packed with numerous healthy compounds. Rosmarinic acid is one such compound. Research has linked it to many benefits, such as reduced inflammation and blood sugar levels, as well as increased blood flow. It may also help reduce blood pressure ( 25 , 26 ).
What do you use German thyme for?
Highly aromatic, it enhances meat dishes, eggs, cheeses, soups, and sauces, and it is a primary component of both Bouquet Garni and Herbes de Provence. Use it to elevate the flavor of good ole’ beef stew, too. This tiny-leaved thyme is among the most aromatic, more so than larger-leafed varieties.
What is the most common thyme for cooking?
Common thyme and lemon thyme are the varieties most often used in cooking. Lemon thyme looks similar to common thyme but offers a distinctive lemon aroma and flavor. You may also encounter woolly thyme, creeping thyme, wild thyme, and elfin thyme—all of which are better suited for rock garden filler than culinary use.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.