Low-growing Mediterranean sub-shrub. Powerfully aromatic — culinary, medicinal, and a strong bee plant.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 4–9 | −34.4 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H7 | down to −20 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 4–9 | −29 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–5 | −15 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About Thyme — Common
Thyme is a low Mediterranean sub-shrub that has been in use since antiquity — the Egyptians used it in embalming, and the Greeks burned it as incense. Its flavour comes largely from thymol, an aromatic compound that also gives it genuine antiseptic properties, which is why it appears in mouthwashes and older disinfectants. The plant is naturally sprawling and woody, and in the wild it grows on rocky, exposed ground where competition is low. That is the clue to growing it: it tolerates poverty and drought far better than it tolerates rich soil, shade or crowding by neighbours.
Growing notes
- Hates winter wet — needs free-draining soil to survive cold winters
- Renew plants every 4–5 years as old wood becomes leggy
- Always consult a qualified medical or herbal practitioner before medicinal use.
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Related plants
Cross-check Thyme — Common against your zones