Learning how to prune thyme will ensure bushy, vigorous plants full of new growth for your kitchen use.
But knowing how to prune thyme can help when your plant starts getting leggy or straggly.
Occasional pruning will help keep it from getting woody and sparse at the base.
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Encourage a bushy shape.
Thyme plants, even upright varieties, tend to be a bit sprawling and can look loose and carefree.
But, that informal look often comes with straggly branching.
Credit:Matthew Benson
Trimming the runaway stems will cause them to be bushy and vigorous.
Older plants tend to get sparse and shrub-like at the base (and unattractive).
A refresh in spring will help stems tender and pliable instead of woody.
When a stem is trimmed, the plant responds by sending out more branches from the nearest node.
)it forces more branching and a compact habit with more foliage.
Prevent thyme from flowering.
Thyme doesn’t acquire a bitter taste after flowering like some other herbs.
However, it can taste slightly mild, with a less potent flavor and aroma.
Thyme flowers are dainty and attractive, lending themselves well to homegrownbouquets of cut flowers.
Cuttings for thyme new plants.
Autumn is a good time for a general haircut pruning.
Lighter pruning can be done at any time.
Watering
Once established, thyme is drought tolerant.
In fact, this herb would rather grow on the dry side and suffers in consistently moist conditions.
When growing in the ground, it seldom needs to be watered unless you are experiencing extremely dry weather.
Thyme grown in containerslikely will need supplemental watering in between rain showers.
Let the soil dry out a bit first.
Test by sticking your finger in the potting soil and feeling for moisture.
Wait to water until it feels dry up to the middle knuckle.
Watering thoroughly but infrequently is better than many constant shallow waterings to encourage deeper roots.
Light
Thymegrows best in full sun.
