Thyme ranks among the most versatile and wonderful herbs; there is a wide range of options when it comes to thyme. It is delicious, and the fragrant leaves will take everything to the next level, from marinates to dressing to sauces. Thyme can be easily grown indoors, just like most herbs, provided you give it primary attention.
There are people who choose to propagate thyme, and it is fairly easy, but you don’t have to do that.
You can easily get pots of young thyme (you can even get them from your local grocery store), keeping the thyme alive while consuming it will not such a big task. The plant needs to be replaced when it starts to look weak.
Once you know how to grow thyme indoors, you will realize how fun it is. Once you have prepared the containers or pots to use, the rest becomes easy.
You will need to take a closer look at your plants from time to time to see whether they are healthy. If there is a problem with your plants, you can easily find a solution. You will be getting a supply of fresh herbs from your indoors.
How To Grow Thyme Indoors?
Growing thyme won’t take much of your time. If you want to learn how to grow thyme indoors, keep on reading.
While growing thyme is easy, you will see better results when you keep them well-watered, bright, and in a warm location. Thyme needs the following conditions.
Light
Thyme prefers full sun or bright light. Many people have seen better results when they have it facing the east windowsill. You can also grow it under compact or standard fluorescent lights, which means you can get your supply of thyme all year round.
Water
Thyme should be watered regularly, but you have to be careful, so you don’t end up overdoing it. You should make sure the soil dries between water sessions. Thyme is drought-resistant.
Temperature
Thyme can thrive in temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit because it is a hardy plant.
Soil
To grow thyme at home, you need airy and light soil that drains fast.
Fertilizer
Liquid fertilizer is the best option. You can also supplement the soil by using controlled-release pellets. If you prefer organic thyme, then fortify the soil using compost or organic fertilizer.
Propagating Thyme
You can easily propagate thyme by the division of mature plants or leaf-tip cuttings. Read more about growing thyme from cuttings here. If you want to divide a large plant, start by removing the plant from the pot, then gently teasing apart the stems and root balls. Plant each of the divide balls into their own pots.
You will find it much easier to just get rid of old and woody plants and getting new ones. Thyme can be grown from seed, and this will give you a wider range of options. You can decide to get seeds types such as Spanish or lemon thyme. Germinating thyme from seeds will take one to three weeks.
Repotting Thyme
Most of the plants are repotted after buying them and changing the pot from the 4″ nursery pot to a 6″ pot, which should be large enough to support a healthy plant. As the thyme gets older, it starts developing a woody stem.
You can start dividing old plants then repotting them back in the big pots using fresh soil. You don’t have to use large pots when growing thyme for kitchen use, especially when you have many other types of herb.
Varieties of Thyme
Thyme is one of the oldest medicinal and aromatherapy plants (it has been cultivated for thousands of years), and this has led to a wide range of varieties. The most popular type is the Thymus vulgaris. The plant can also be referred to as French thyme (although this is not exclusive to that variety).
Another common variety is the citrus thyme, which has a citrus aroma and flavor. Lemon thyme is a favorite for many people. Other varieties are variegated thyme and orange thyme.
The above guide should help you know how to grow thyme indoors. You will be able to learn a lot more once you get started. The work you put in is going to be worth it.