How to Grow Ornamental Thyme (Thymus)

Ornamental thymes make wonderful evergreen ground covers in sunny gardens. These perennials (meaning they grow back year after year) are covered with magenta, lavender or pink flowers in early summer.

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Garden Spades
• Garden Trowels
• Mulch
• Plants

Instructions

Choosing Thyme

1. Look for plants at nurseries in spring and summer.

2. Buy thyme in 4-inch to 1-gallon containers.

3. Choose healthy-looking plants that have no clumps of dead stems.

Planting Thyme

1. Plant thyme in full sun in well-drained soil.

2. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

3. Place the plants no deeper than they were when growing in containers.

4. 

   Set the plants 6 to 9 inches apart.

5. 

   Mulch around but not on top of the plant with 3 inches of organic compost.

6. 

   Water well until soil is completely moist.

Caring for Thyme

1. In spring, trim back plants that are growing over sidewalks or stepping-stones; use scissors or bypass pruners.

Tips & Warnings

• Bees love the flowers, so don't plant thyme near where you walk if you are allergic to bees.