Soil: Plant thyme in well-drained soil with an optimal pH between 6.0 and 8.0. In early spring, you may fertilize with organic matter, like compost, but not much soil amendment is necessary.
Sun: Thyme needs a growing area with plenty of sunlight. Indoors, find a sunny window for your thyme. In the garden, intersperse among other drought-tolerant perennials in an area that receives full sun. Water: Most varieties of thyme are drought-resistant, so only give a thorough watering, when the soil is completely dry.
Spacing: Thyme is a vigorous grower, so be sure to space accordingly. Plant anywhere from 12 to 24 inches apart, depending upon the specific variety.
Companion planting: Thyme thrives in sunny conditions, so if you are growing thyme in containers, plant with rosemary, which also has similar watering needs. In the garden, plant alongside strawberries, cabbages, tomatoes, eggplants, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. In order to obtain the best and most potent flavor, harvest thyme just before the plant flowers.
Thyme is one of those herbs, like oregano or sage, which tastes great both fresh and dried. I clip a few sprigs as needed, but I tend to perform a mass harvest a couple times in the growing season. Really, the more you trim your thyme, the more it grows. Cut fresh stems in the morning, leaving behind tough, woody portions. Leave behind at least five inches of growth, so that the plant can still flourish. Regular pruning not only encourages more growth, but also promotes a more rounded shape.
