Many of your go-to herbs like parsley, basil, and thyme will thrive indoors with the right care. Keep the harvest season going all winter long and flavor your favorite soups, veggies, roasts, and more with a never-ending supply of fresh-picked leaves.
How do you grow thyme indoors in winter?
How to Grow Thyme Indoors. Herb care for plants indoors is much the same as for those outdoors. Water completely each time but allow the pot to dry before watering again. Fertilize thyme with a weak solution of fish emulsion or liquid seaweed, diluted by half every two weeks.
Can you grow thyme year round?
Thyme is an evergreen perennial, so leaves can be picked fresh all year round. However, the best time to pick thyme is in early summer, when the plant is at its most productive, before flowering.
Does thyme grow better indoors or outdoors?
Thyme thrives in full sun and makes an excellent outdoor plant. Move the pot outside when the temperature is consistently pleasant at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
How do I keep my thyme plant alive?
How to Cultivate Thyme
- Soil: Plant thyme in well-drained soil with an optimal pH between 6.0 and 8.0.
- Sun: Thyme needs a growing area with plenty of sunlight.
- Water: Most varieties of thyme are drought-resistant, so only give a thorough watering, when the soil is completely dry.
Why is my indoor thyme plant dying?
The most common reasons for thyme dying are: Thyme has root rot or fungal disease due to consistently damp soil. Thyme that is drooping and turning yellow because of damp soils or excess nitrogen in the soil due to additional fertilizer. Thyme plant that is turning brown, dry and dying back.
What is the easiest herb to grow indoors?
Basil, oregano, mint, chives, sage, rosemary, and thyme are the easiest herbs to grow indoors, whether you have them in the garden already or wish to plant them now.
What can I grow indoors all year round?
You can grow a variety of leafy greens indoors, including loose-leaf lettuce, spinach, chard, arugula, kale, sorrel, and mustard greens. You also have the option of harvesting them in the baby leaf stage, or waiting until they’re full grown.
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.
Will thyme grow back after winter?
Some cold hardy herbs (mint, thyme, oregano, sage, and chives) are very well adapted. In areas with frost, they grow as perennials, going dormant in the winter and coming back with new growth in the spring.
How do you trim thyme so it keeps growing?
In late fall, after the first frost, select one-third of the oldest and woodiest stems on your thyme plant. Using sharp, clean shears, cut these stems back by half. Repeat the process the next year until your thyme plant has returned to growing younger, more tender stems all over the plant.
How often should you water thyme?
every 10–15 days
Thyme. Thyme is an herb that can thrive with very little watering. You should only have to water this herb every 10–15 days.
Should you let thyme flower?
Thyme’s tiny flowers are pretty and white. Though you can pinch the flowers off to allow the plant to produce more leaves, the flavor of thyme really isn’t compromised by letting the plant bloom.
Can you use thyme after it flowers?
Harvesting Thyme to Use for Cooking. Harvest thyme just before the plant flowers for the best flavor. Once the plant begins to flower, the herb begins to lose some of its flavor and potency. The thyme can still be used after it flowers, just expect a milder flavor.
Does thyme like to be misted?
Humidity & Temperature Preferences
As for humidity, this herb prefers having dry surroundings. There’s no need to regularly mist on your thyme during times of low humidity. Doing so will encourage the growth of fungi and other disease-causing pathogens.
How do you keep potted herbs alive indoors?
Indoor herbs need both high humidity and excellent air circulation. Mist your herbs once a week or set them on a tray of pebbles filled with water to keep the humidity up. If you find your herbs are affected by mildew, you may want to consider adding a fan to keep the air circulation consistent.
How many hours of sunlight does thyme need?
Like most herbs, thyme needs bright light to flourish. When growing outdoors your plants will need up to 10 hours of direct sun during the day. When you’re growing an herb garden indoors thyme will need as much bright, direct light as you can give it.
Does growing herbs indoors attract bugs?
Herbs are a great way to add flavor to your food, and they can also be used as medicinal plants. While some pests may be attracted to indoor herb gardens, most of them can be controlled using simple methods. So don’t let the fear of pests stop you from growing your herbs indoors!
What herbs can I grow indoors in winter?
These cool weather herbs do well indoors even in winter: chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, lemon balm, oregano, parsley, sage, sweet bay, and thyme. Growth will slow down when the temperatures are cooler. You will need to experiment to see what works for your indoor environment.
What herbs can grow indoors without sunlight?
Top Five Herbs to Grow Indoors
- Rosemary.
- Mint.
- Thyme.
- Chives.
- Parsley.
Are indoor gardens worth it?
Indoor gardens are only worth the investment if they can produce healthy herbs, flowers, or other plants, such as leaf lettuce. To accomplish that—if they’re hydroponic—they must keep the pods consistently moist until the seeds germinate and also provide an ample amount of full-spectrum light that mimics sunlight.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.