Faustinoi thyme in seedlings

The Thym x faustinoi or Festini (Thymus vulgaris) is a compact variety (30 cm (12in) in all directions) that has pretty grey-green leaves, very aromatic. They are used alone or in bouquet garni, its leaves will flavour meats, fish, vegetables, sauces or oils. Thyme thrives in most types of soil, including rocky soil, but is sensitive to excessive moisture. The plug plants are planted in spring or autumn for year-round harvesting.

Native to western and southern Europe, where it is sometimes found in the wild, Thyme is a perennial undershrub that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Hardy, it forms small fragrant clumps with evergreen grey-green foliage. This necar-rich plant offers pretty small flowers in summer, ranging in colour from white to pinkish-purple depending on the varieties.

Its leaves with a scent of the scrubland are highly appreciated in cooking. Used alone or in bouquet garni, combined with Bay Leaf, Parsley and Rosemary, Thyme leaves flavour stews, sauces, marinades, and stocks. They are also used in infusions, renowned for relieving digestive disorders.

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

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

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

The gardener's little tip: In the garden, don't hesitate to mix categories by planting some herbs like Thyme in the middle of your perennial flower beds or even in rockeries. They will integrate perfectly and the sometimes strong scents of aromatic plants have the ability to repel insects that may attack more sensitive plants like some roses.