Thymus vulgaris Compactus - Winter Thyme

The 'Compactus' Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) or Common Thyme is a compact variety with a ball-shaped habit, resistant to cold, with slightly greyish leaves that are highly aromatic. Its leaves, combined with Bay Leaf, Rosemary, and Parsley, will make an ideal bouquet garni for flavouring stews, sauces, or for use in infusions. Thyme thrives in most types of soil, including rocky soil, but is sensitive to excessive moisture. It can be 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 belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Hardy, it forms small fragrant clumps with evergreen grey-green foliage. This nectariferous plant produces pretty little flowers in summer, ranging in colour from white to pink-purple depending on the varieties.

Its leaves, with their scent of the Mediterranean scrubland, are highly appreciated in cooking. Used alone or in bouquet garni, Thyme leaves flavor stews, sauces, marinades, and stocks. They are also used in medicinal infusions, known for their digestive benefits.

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 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. It is best to harvest in the morning. Thyme is most fragrant during its flowering period, in summer. Since it is advisable to prune it to maintain a 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 bouquets upside down in a dry and well-ventilated place. This is a simple and quick process that you can replace with freezing if you find it more convenient.

The gardener's tip: In the garden, don't hesitate to mix different types by planting some herbs like Thyme right in the middle of your perennial flower beds or even in rock gardens. They will blend in perfectly and the sometimes strong scents of aromatic plants often have the ability to repel insects that may attack more delicate plants like certain roses.