Growing Thyme From Seed – Growing Thyme From Seed Indoors – Growing Creeping Thyme From Seed – Growing Mother Of Pearl Thyme From Seed – Growing Elfin Thyme From Seed – Is Thyme Hard To Grow – Planting Thyme Outdoors
Welcome to this post about how to grow thyme from seed. Growing thyme from seed is one of the most fun ways of getting to know all the small and intricate details of growing this lovely herb. A pretty simple herb to learn to grow, but so rewarding.
If you want to learn even more about growing thyme and become even more comfortable with it then check out our guide, How To Plant, Grow And Care For Your Thyme.
Growing Thyme From Seed
Growing thyme from seed is my favorite way of propagating this fantastic herb, other than taking cuttings then of course. But that’s a whole other topic in and of itself. There are a few things that you will want to take into consideration when growing thyme from seeds and that is what I will cover below.
I go by a checklist when wanting to plant new seeds. I want the soil to drain very well. That is achievable by having a not super packed soil and then of course having some holes in the bottom of the container or pot if you want to go that route. Depending on how long frost can last in your part of the world, growing thyme in small containers indoors might be a really good idea to get a headstart on the season.
The same rule will apply to seeding both indoors as well as outdoors. You want to sprinkle the seeds above the surface of the soil, and let them have at least a couple of centimeters in between them. If you pre-pot in a small container then one seed per hole will be enough. After you have put them on, lightly tap each one down or push a little bit of the soil over. This will kick start the process for the seed to start germinating and in about 10 – 20 days you might start seeing the first sign above the surface.
Now we play a waiting game involving letting the thyme fully develop during ideally the whole summer and harden some of the lower parts. I look so that it has bark before trying to cut any sprigs off. This will make me a bit more comfortable doing that as it will most likely be able to handle it better.
Have you seen people growing thyme successfully from cuttings indoors and wonder how you can do that? In this article here we will discuss exactly that, How To Grow Thyme Indoors From Cuttings.
Growing Thyme From Seed Indoors
Growing thyme from seed indoors can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a fresh supply of this versatile herb. Here are the steps to follow:
- Choose the right container: Select a container that is at least 6 inches deep and has good drainage. You can use plastic or clay pots, or even a seed tray.
- Choose a suitable potting mix: Thyme prefers a well-draining soil mix, so use a blend of potting soil, perlite, and vermiculite. Make sure the soil is moist, but not soaking wet.
- Sow the seeds: Sprinkle the seeds on the soil surface, and then cover with a thin layer of soil. Thyme seeds are small, so don’t bury them too deep. Water gently to ensure that the soil is moist.
- Provide the right environment: Thyme seeds germinate best in warm and humid conditions. Cover the container with plastic wrap or a lid to retain moisture and warmth. Place the container in a warm and bright location, but not in direct sunlight.
- Keep the soil moist: Check the soil daily and water when the top layer feels dry to the touch. Don’t overwater, as thyme prefers well-draining soil.
- Transplant the seedlings: When the seedlings have grown to about 2 inches tall, transplant them into individual pots. Use a well-draining soil mix and water gently. Place the pots in a sunny location, such as a south-facing window.
- Maintain the plants: Water the plants regularly and make sure they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
By following these steps, you can successfully grow thyme from seed indoors and enjoy fresh thyme throughout the year.
Growing Creeping Thyme From Seed
Growing creeping thyme from seeds is a straightforward process that can be done both indoors and outdoors. The first step is to choose a container with good drainage and fill it with a well-draining soil mix. The soil should be lightly moistened before sowing the seeds on the surface and gently pressing them into the soil. It’s important not to bury the seeds too deep, as they need light to germinate.
The container should then be covered with plastic wrap or a clear lid to help retain moisture. The seeds should be kept in a warm and bright location, ideally around 70-75°F, and should germinate within 10-14 days. Once the seedlings have emerged, the plastic wrap or lid can be removed, and the container should be placed in a sunny location.
As the seedlings grow, it’s important to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilizer can be applied once the seedlings have developed their second set of leaves, using a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
When the seedlings have grown to around 2-3 inches in height, they can be transplanted into their permanent location in the garden or a larger container. Creeping thyme prefers a location with full sun or partial shade and well-draining soil. With proper care, creeping thyme should grow vigorously and provide a low-maintenance ground cover with a delightful fragrance.
Growing Mother Of Pearl From Seed
Growing Mother of Pearl from seed is a fairly simple process, although it does require patience and attention. Here are some general steps you can follow:
- Choose a location: Mother of Pearl prefers full sun to partial shade, so select a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. The soil should be well-draining and fertile.
- Sow the seeds: Sow the seeds in early spring, after the danger of frost has passed. You can start the seeds indoors in a seed-starting mix or sow them directly in the garden. Sow the seeds about 1/8 inch deep and cover them lightly with soil.
- Water the seeds: Water the seeds regularly to keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. The mother of Pearl is drought-tolerant, but the seeds need consistent moisture to germinate.
- Thin the seedlings: Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to about 12 inches apart. This will give them enough space to grow and prevent overcrowding.
- Care for the plants: Water the plants regularly, but don’t overwater. Fertilize the plants every two to three weeks with a balanced fertilizer. Mother of Pearl is fairly low-maintenance, but it benefits from occasional pruning to maintain its shape and encourage bushiness.
- Harvest the leaves: Mother of Pearl is grown primarily for its attractive foliage, which has a silver-green color. You can harvest the leaves as needed for culinary or decorative purposes. Harvesting the leaves regularly will also help keep the plants bushy and healthy.
Overall, Mother of Pearl is a beautiful and easy-to-grow herb that can add color and texture to your garden or indoor space. With a little bit of care and attention, you can enjoy its lovely foliage for years to come.
Growing Elfin Thyme From Seed
To grow Elfin Thyme from seed, start by selecting a container with good drainage holes and fill it with a well-draining soil mix. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on top of the soil and press them in gently, as they require light to germinate. Cover the container with a plastic bag or a clear lid to create a humid environment, and place it in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight.
Check the soil moisture level frequently and mist the seeds with a spray bottle as needed to keep the surface moist. The seeds should germinate within two to three weeks, at which point you can remove the plastic cover and move the container to a sunny windowsill or under grow lights.
As the Elfin Thyme seedlings grow, thin them out to one plant per cell or spacing requirements indicated on the seed packet. Feed the plants with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength every two to four weeks. Water the plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, taking care not to overwater.
Once the Elfin Thyme plants have reached a mature size, you can harvest the leaves as needed for culinary purposes. The plants will produce pink or purple flowers in the summer, attracting pollinators to your garden.
Is Thyme Hard To Start From Seed
Growing thyme from seed should really not be as hard as you might think. What it really comes down to is patience. Thyme is not a fast-growing herb that you can just plant and expect a harvest within the next month or so. You are playing the waiting game.
The first part of germinating takes about 10 – days and then it will start growing out both above the surface into the shape of a bush and underneath, creating a vast root system. But the only hard part really is re-potting the small seedlings into either freeland or a pot of your choice. That’s probably the most time-consuming part.
After this step is done then you want to just monitor the thyme and water it every other week or so. It doesn’t require a lot of attention to grow into a nice bush and supply your kitchen with plenty of tasty herbs and flavors.
If you decided to go down the rewarding route of growing your own herbs then just know that it is a good idea to invest time in really getting nice thyme seedlings to re-pot. Growing a few extras really doesn’t harm and will be worth it.
Want to read even more about the best methods when watering a thyme plant? This article right here discusses that. Find it here, How Often Should You Water Thyme Seeds.
How To Plant Thyme Seeds Outdoors
To plant thyme seeds outdoors, follow these steps:
- Choose a location: Thyme prefers a well-drained soil and full sun, so choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day and has soil that drains well.
- Prepare the soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of about 6-8 inches and mix in some compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and drainage.
- Sow the seeds: Sprinkle the thyme seeds over the prepared soil and lightly press them into the soil. Thyme seeds are very small, so be careful not to bury them too deep. You can also mix the seeds with some sand to help with even distribution.
- Water the seeds: Gently water the seeds with a mist sprayer or a watering can with a fine nozzle to avoid disturbing the seeds. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged until the seeds germinate.
- Thin the seedlings: When the seedlings are about an inch tall, thin them to about 6-12 inches apart to give them enough room to grow. You can use the thinnings in the kitchen or compost them.
- Mulch the soil: Once the thyme seedlings are established, mulch the soil with a layer of organic matter like straw, leaves or bark to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Care for the thyme plants: Thyme plants are relatively low maintenance and don’t require much fertilization. Water them when the soil feels dry to the touch and trim back any dead or woody growth as needed. Thyme is also prone to getting leggy, so consider pruning it back periodically to encourage bushy growth.
