Thymus serpyllum - Wild Thyme

The Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a creeping variety whose leaves have a slightly less pronounced scent than common thyme. Its leaves add flavour to many dishes, and its fragrance is particularly suited to meats and vegetables. This variety also makes an excellent ground cover. Wild Thyme thrives in most soil types, including rocky soil, but is sensitive to excess moisture. Plant it in spring or autumn and harvest all year round.

Native to western and southern Europe, where it is sometimes found in the wild, Thyme is a perennial undershrub from the Lamiaceae family. Hardy, it forms small fragrant clumps with evergreen grey-green foliage. This honey plant produces little flowers in summer, ranging from white to pinkish-purple, depending on the variety.

Its leaves, with their scent of the garrigue, are highly appreciated in cooking. Used alone or in a bouquet garni, combined with bay leaves, parsley, and rosemary, thyme leaves add flavour to stews, sauces, marinades, and court bouillons. They are also used in infusions and are renowned for their ability to relieve digestive ailments.

Thyme is a hardy, easy-to-grow herb that thrives in poor, light, rocky, and well-drained soil. If your soil is rather damp and clayey, we recommend growing it in a pot where it will thrive.

Harvest: Thyme can be harvested throughout the year as its leaves are evergreen. Preferably pick in the morning. Thyme is most fragrant during its flowering period, in summer. Considering that it is advisable to prune it to maintain an excellent compact shape, take advantage of this to stock up for the winter months!

Preservation: Thyme is traditionally preserved by drying. After washing and drying the stems, hang the bunches upside down in a dry, airy place. This is a simple and quick process that you can replace with freezing if you find it more convenient.

A Gardener's Tip: Don't hesitate to mix genres by planting herbs like Thyme in the middle of your perennial flower beds or even in rock gardens. They will blend in perfectly, and the sometimes strong fragrances of aromatic plants often can repel insects that may attack more delicate plants like roses.