Thymus

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At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes plants that are commonly referred to as Thyme, and are native to Africa, Europe, and Asia. The best-known and most widely cultivated species in the genus is Thymus vulgaris, or Common Thyme. Plants are herbaceous, reaching up  to 16 inches tall, and stems tend to be wiry and narrow. Leaves are typically evergreen and aromatic. Flowers bloom in dense terminal infloresences and can be white, yellow, or purple-pink. Many species are cultivated for their fragrant leaves, used as a culinary herb. They are packed with phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Use these plants as ornamental groundcovers, in herb gardens, or in containers.

Thymus Species and Varietals

The large genus Thymus is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae, and includes around 350 distinct species. The growing zones for these plants vary depending on the species; for more information, consult the information below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Thymus caespitosus
This species forms a handsome groundcover, and is considered to be a dwarf shrub. It is native to Portugal, Spain, the Azores and Madeira, and produces narrow leaves fringed with small hairs. Flowers are rose, lilac-colored, or white and bloom in late spring through summertime. Cultivar 'Aureus' has narrow, light golden leaves.

Thymus capitatus (Conehead Thyme, Persian-Hyssop, Spanish Oregano)
This species is native to Mediterranean Europe and Turkey, and produces rising stems and green leaves. Flowers are pink, and held in cone-shaped clusters at branch tips in mid to late summertime. This species has protected status in some areas of the world, and harvesting it is a criminal offense.

Thymus camphoratus (Tomilho do Mar)
These erect subshrubs reach up to a foot tall when mature, and produce pink or purple flowers in spring and summertime. Endemic to southwestern Portugal, this species typically grows in coastline habitats in sand dunes, heathlands, and xerophilic scrub landscapes.

Thymus carnosus (Portuguese Thyme)
These plants are native to southern Portugal and Spain, and form upright, woody-based herbaceous subshrubs to 16 inches tall. Flowers are white, lilac or pink and leaves are light green to grey-green with fuzzy undersides.

Thymus citriodorus (Lemon Thyme, Citrus Thyme)
This species forms a mat of foliage that reaches to just 4 inches tall with a spread of about a foot. The entire plant is lemon-scented, and flowers are pink to lavender-colored. Blooms are present from mid- to late summer. They are grown as culinary herbs and garden ornamentals. Cultivars include 'Lemon Supreme' (with very rich lemon scent), 'Silver-Edged' (with silver-edged green leaves), 'Creeping Golden Lemon' (with shiny dark green leaves variegated in gold), 'Orange Thyme' (with orange-scented foliage), and 'Lime Thyme' (with bright chartreuse-green leaves that are lime-scented and flavored).

Thymus herba-barona (Caraway Thyme)
This species has a scent similar to Caraway (Cumin), and can be used as a substitute in many recipes. Plants are grown as culinary herbs and evergreen groundcover ornamentals. Individual plants are woody-based and reach up to 10 inches tall when mature. Leaves are dark, glossy green and hairy. Flowers are pink, blooming in spring and early summertime.

Thymus moroderi (Lavender Thyme)
These small plants are endemic to dry areas of southern Spain. Foliage is dark green and leaves are tiny. Flowers are pink, and bloom from April through early June in the plant's native range. This species has both ornamental and essential oil qualities, and attempts are being made to domesticate it. Cantueso, a traditional liquor made in the Alicante province of Spain, is distilled from these plants.

Thymus pannonicus (Hungarian Thyme, Eurasian Thyme)
This species is native to central and eastern areas of Europe and Russia, and grows in open dry meadows, grasslands, and in rocky areas. Dried leaves are used to make herbal teas that have a pleasant lemony scent and flavor. Fresh leaves are also used in confections, homemade jams, and candies. Flowers are light pink to lavender in color.

Thymus praecox (Mother of Thyme, Creeping Thyme, Wild Thyme)
This species of Thyme is native to central, southern, and western Europe. It has many subspecies and cultivars, and is cultivated as an evergreen groundcover ornamental plant in many gardens around the world. These plants do well when grown in between stepping stones or in rock gardens, and are drought-tolerant when established. It has a strong scent similar to Oregano, and is used to flavor dishes. This species is considered a weed in some parts of North America.

Thymus pseudolanuginosus (Wooly Thyme)
These low-growing groundcover plants produce hairy or wooly leaves and are native to southern Europe. Foliage is small and green, and flowers are purple to pink in color. This species is grown as an ornamental plant, commonly employed as a groundcover. It forms extensive low mats of foliage, and is fantastic in rock gardens.

Thymus pulegioides (Broad-Leaved Thyme, Lemon Thyme)
Native to Europe, these plants reach up to 10 inches tall and just as wide. The species forms a spreading subshrub with lilac pink flowers that bloom in early summertime. These ornamentals are also grown as culinary herbs, and cultivars include 'Aureus' (with lemon-scented golden leaves) and 'Bertram Anderson'.

Thyme serpyllum (Breckland Thyme, Breckland Wild Thyme, Wild Thyme, Creeping Thyme, Elfin Thyme)
This species forms a low, creeping subshrub to 4 inches tall. Leaves are evergreen and oval, and flowers are strongly scented, blooming in clusters of lilac, pink-purple, or magenta. These plants are native to most of Europe and North Africa, and can tolerate some pedestrian traffic, making it ideal for growing between stepping stones. The whole plant smells of herbal lemon. Leaves have a milder flavor than that of domesticated Thyme species.

Thymus vulgaris (Common Thyme, German Thyme, Garden Thyme, Thyme)
This species is widely cultivated as a culinary herb plant, and is native to southern Europe. It has a woody base and foliage is evergreen. Leaves are greyish-green and highly aromatic. It is useful as a garden groundcover, as well, and has many cultivars, including 'Argenteus' (also called Silver Thyme) and 'Silver Queen'.

Caring for Sesamum


Harvesting Sesame Seeds and Leaves

Propagation

Bixia orellana seed pods are bright red.
When seeds are mature, seed pods will open.

Problems and Pests

?? plants are typically pest and disease free. For more information on common garden problems, including how to correct them, see the following links.
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Resources

Wikipedia: Thymus (plant)