Thyme is the herb garden's most indispensable member—its small, highly aromatic dark blue-green leaves carry a bold, earthy fragrance that is the backbone of French, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines. This highly fragrant heirloom variety produces large quantities of aromatic leaves that dry beautifully for year-round use and release their perfume into the garden with every passing breeze. A beautiful, drought-tolerant perennial that asks almost nothing while giving abundantly for years.

Growing Instructions: Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost—thyme germinates slowly and benefits from a heat mat. Transplant after last frost to a full-sun location with excellent drainage. Trim plants after flowering to keep them compact and productive. Once established, thyme is extremely low-maintenance and drought-tolerant.

• Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
• Plant Type: Perennial (Zones 5–9)
• Planting Time: Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost; transplant after last frost
• Planting Depth: ⅛ inch — barely cover; needs some light
• Spacing: 12–18 inches apart
• Days to Germination: 14–28 days
• Days to First Harvest: 75–90 days from transplant
• Mature Height: 6–12 inches
• Light Needs: Full sun (6+ hours)
• Water Needs: Low — drought tolerant; excellent drainage required
• Difficulty: Moderate (slow germination)
• Seed Type: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated