Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
- Layer 5 · Ground cover
- Ground cover
Status by region
No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.
Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).
Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.
About
Native to the Mediterranean basin, thyme is a woody perennial subshrub, perfectly adapted to dry conditions and nutrient-poor calcareous soils. In a food forest, it is frequently planted along borders and in the lower layers for its function of repelling pests with its potent essential oils, whilst simultaneously attracting many pollinators during flowering.
It is harvested now — July is one of the harvest months.
See which trees the thyme grows well with
Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.
No account needed.
Needs
- Water: Low
- Light: Full sun
- Size: Creeping subshrub up to 30 cm
- Mature diameter: 0.4 m
- Soils: Loam, Sandy, Limestone
- Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean, Mountain / cold
Calendar
- January
- February
- March — Planting
- April — Harvest — Planting
- May — Harvest
- June — Harvest
- July — Harvest
- August — Harvest
- September
- October — Planting
- November — Planting
- December
- Harvest
- Planting
Medicinal use: Powerful antiseptic and expectorant indicated for throat infections.
Where to buy
Grows well with
Central trees this plant has already been paired with.
Related plants
Other species in the same layer or with the same function.
It is harvested now — July is one of the harvest months.
See which trees the thyme grows well with
Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.
No account needed.
Not ready to map your land yet?
Get the free mini-guide to starting an edible forest.