Thyme Plants

Thyme (Thymus) is an essential evergreen herb for culinary, medicinal, and landscaping use. Our peat & pesticide free range includes upright shrubs for kitchen gardens and creeping thyme for aromatic paths. These pollinator-friendly plants offer such variety, from lemon-scented foliage to vibrant potted varieties like ‘Silver Queen’ and ‘Archer’s Gold’.

Upright & Shrubby Varieties 

Ideal for: Culinary Staples, Raised Beds, and Edging.

If you are looking for the best thyme for cooking, our upright varieties like Common Thyme (T. vulgaris) are the primary choice. These grow into small shrubs that are easy to harvest for daily kitchen use. They provide the robust, earthy flavour essential for a classic bouquet garni. 

Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Thyme
£3.95
£3.95
In stock, ready to ship
Thyme 'Foxley'
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Thymus pulegioides 'Foxley'
Thyme 'Foxley'
£3.95
£3.95
Thyme 'Tabor'
Thymus pulegioides 'Tabor'
Thyme 'Tabor'
£3.95
£3.95
In stock, ready to ship
Thyme Archers Gold
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Thymus pulegioides 'Archers Gold'
Thyme Archers Gold
£3.95
£3.95
Thyme Compact
Thymus vulgare 'Compactus'
Thyme Compact
£3.95
£3.95
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Thyme Gold
Thymus vulgaris 'Gold'
Thyme Gold
£3.95
£3.95
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Thyme Jekka
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Thymus 'Jekka'
Thyme Jekka
£3.95
£3.95
Thyme Silver Queen
Thymus 'Silver Queen'
Thyme Silver Queen
£3.95
£3.95
In stock, ready to ship
Caraway Thyme with dark green leaves and pink flowers for bees, in a recyclable pot. Grown by Kitchen Garden Plant Centre.
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Thymus ‘Herba bonara’
Caraway Thyme
£3.95
£3.95
Creeping Red Thyme
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Thymus serpyllum ‘Creeping Red’
Creeping Red Thyme
£3.95
£3.95
Thyme Caborn Wine and Roses
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Thymus vulgare 'Caborn Wine and Roses' 
Thyme Caborn Wine and Roses
£3.95
£3.95
Thyme Creeping Lemon
Thymus 'Creeping Lemon'
Thyme Creeping Lemon
£3.95
£3.95
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Thyme Snowdrift
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Thymus 'Snowdrift'
Thyme Snowdrift
£3.95
£3.95
Woolly Thyme
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Thymus pseudolanuginosus
Woolly Thyme
£3.95
£3.95
Thyme Pink Chintz Thyme Pink Chintz
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Thymus 'Pink Chintz'
Thyme Pink Chintz
£3.95
£3.95
Thyme Purple Creeping
Thymus serpyllum 'Purple Creeping'
Thyme Purple Creeping
£3.95
£3.95
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Thyme Doone Valley
Thymus 'Doone Valley'
Thyme Doone Valley
£3.95
£3.95
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Thyme 'Ruby Glow'
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Thymus 'Ruby Glow'
Thyme 'Ruby Glow'
£3.95
£3.95

Creeping & Mat-Forming Varieties 

Ideal for: Ground Cover, Rockeries, Paving Cracks, and Lawn Alternatives. 

Creeping varieties like 'Snowdrift' or 'Caraway' form dense, evergreen carpets that hug the ground, releasing a wonderful scent when stepped on. They are perfect for planting between stones and create a "living carpet" that blooms with a mass of tiny flowers in summer. 

Caraway Thyme with dark green leaves and pink flowers for bees, in a recyclable pot. Grown by Kitchen Garden Plant Centre.

Scented & Variegated Varieties 

Ideal for: Pots, Hanging Baskets, and Sensory Gardens. 

For something unique, try our citrus-scented thymes like Lemon Thyme (T. x citriodorus) or Orange Thyme. Variegated Thymes are also as decorative as they are delicious. Perfect for pots near the kitchen door for easy harvesting for fish dishes, chicken, or summer cocktails. 

Lemon Thyme
Thymus x citriodorus
Lemon Thyme
£3.95
£3.95
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Lemon variegated Thyme
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Thymus x citriodorus 'Variegatus'
Lemon variegated Thyme
£3.95
£3.95
Lemonade Thyme
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Thymus 'Lemonade'
Lemonade Thyme
£4.00
£4.00
Thyme Creeping Lemon
Thymus 'Creeping Lemon'
Thyme Creeping Lemon
£3.95
£3.95
In stock, ready to ship
Thyme Orange
Thymus citriodorus 'Fragrantissumus Orange'
Thyme Orange
£3.95
£3.95
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A compact green leaved thyme, growing in a 9cm recyclable pot
Thymus spp 'Rose'
Thyme Rose
£3.95
£3.95
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Thyme Silver Posie
Thymus vulgaris 'Silver Posie'
Thyme Silver Posie
£3.95
£3.95
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Thyme Sparkling Bright
Thymus ‘Sparkling Bright’
Thyme Sparkling Bright
£3.95
£3.95
In stock, ready to ship

Thyme at a Glance
Feature Specification
Botanical Name

Thymus (varieties include vulgaris, serpyllum, citriodorus)
Plant Type Hardy, evergreen aromatic perennial
Hardiness Fully hardy (UK Zone 6); down to -15°C (some exclusions)
Sun Requirements Full sun (6–8 hours daily) for best essential oils
Soil Preference Well-drained, light, sandy or chalky soil; neutral to alkaline
Growth Habit Upright (shrubby), Creeping (mat-forming), or Mounding
Pollinator Value
Excellent; nectar-rich flowers attract bees and ladybirds
Best Uses Roasted meats, teas, and aromatic ground cover/ lawn alternative

Five Creative Ways To Use Thyme 

For Culinary Use: 

  • Slow Cooking: Use robust fresh sprigs to season stews, roasted vegetables, and meats.
  • Infusions: Use lemon varieties to infuse oils for citrusy dressings or to season roast chicken.

For Landscaping:

  • Groundcover: Grow creeping varieties as a drought-tolerant lawn alternative or to fill gaps in dry-stone walls.
  • Borders: Use upright varieties to create fragrant, low-growing hedges for defining garden edges.

For Nature & Bees:

  • Pollinator Magnet: Grow summer flowers to provide a vital food source for bees and butterflies.
  • Companion Planting: Use it in vegetable patches to attract beneficial insects like hoverflies.

For Natural Beauty:

  • Toners & Rinses: Infuse thyme into water to create a natural toner for congested skin or a clarifying hair rinse.
  • Facial Steams: Utilize its antibacterial properties in homemade facial steams and natural soaps.

For Health & Wellbeing:

  • Wellness Tea: Steep fresh sprigs in boiling water to soothe coughs and respiratory issues.
  • Antiseptic Boost: Harness its natural thymol for antimicrobial benefits in home wellness routines.

 

Thyme planting & care guide

Hardiness

Extremely tough and frost-hardy. Thyme thrives in most UK conditions but must have good drainage to survive wet winters. Lift pots off the ground to permit drainage.

Sun & Soil

Requires a sunny, sheltered spot. It performs best in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid heavy clay; if your soil is damp, plant in pots or raised beds with added grit.

Pruning

Lightly trim after flowering in late summer to maintain a neat shape. A slightly harder prune in early spring helps prevent the plant from becoming too woody- be sure to look out for small buds on low stems.

Harvesting

Pick fresh sprigs year-round. For the most intense flavour, harvest in early summer just before the flowers open when essential oil levels are at their peak. 

Growth Habit

Depending on the variety, as low as 2cm and creeping to 30cm and upright.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Thyme

Can I grow thyme indoors? 

Yes, you can grow thyme on a bright, south-facing windowsill, provided it gets plenty of direct sunlight. Ensure the pot has excellent drainage and avoid overwatering, as thyme does not tolerate sitting in wet! 
Which thyme is best for a "thyme lawn"? 

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is the best choice for ground cover and lawns. Varieties like ‘Snowdrift' or ‘Caborn Wine and Roses' create a dense mat that can handle light foot traffic and creates a stunning floral carpet in summer. 
Is thyme hardy enough for a UK winter? 

Most common varieties are fully hardy down to -15°C. However, they dislike "wet feet." To protect them during a wet winter, ensure they are in free-draining soil or mulch the base with gravel to keep the foliage off damp earth. 

 
How do I make thyme tea? 

Simply steep three or four fresh sprigs in boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes. You can add honey or lemon to taste. This infusion is traditionally used to support respiratory health and digestion. 
Why is my thyme plant becoming woody? 

Thyme naturally becomes woody as it ages, but regular harvesting and a light prune after flowering will keep it bushy. It is generally recommended to replace culinary thyme plants every 3 to 4 years to ensure the best leaf production. 

Looking for something specific?  

Discover aromatic varieties perfect for gin, whisky, and botanical drinks, or browse nectar-rich plants that support bees and butterflies

Herbs for Pollinators Herbs for Cocktails

Further Reading

Explore our archive to master the art of growing and using this versatile herb in your own garden.

Kitchen Garden Guide to Growing Thyme

For more in-depth advice, see our original guide to growing thyme, covering soil requirements, preparation and care, as well as alternative uses and recommended thymes.

View Guide

Winter Herb Festive Essentials

Thyme a useful kitchen garden essential. Create depth to your Winter dishes and add Thyme to roasted vegetables and meats. Hardy and Evergreen when planted with good drainage. Recipe included.

See Recipe