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What is Mother of Thyme?

Jennifer Voight
Jennifer Voight

Mother of thyme, or Thymus praecox Opiz, is a perennial shrubby culinary herb from the mint family. Foliage is dense and mat-forming, making mother of thyme suitable for use as a ground cover, in borders, or combined with other plantings in containers. Mother of thyme prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and is drought tolerant. This herb is native to Asia, Europe, and Africa, but is planted in gardens in temperate climates worldwide.

Average height for mother of thyme is around 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm). There are two varieties of thyme: low-growing creeping thyme and bush thyme, which reaches around 12 inches (30 cm) in height. Mother of thyme is of the creeping variety and will spread to around 24 inches (61 cm). It is not considered invasive.

Thyme leaves may be used as a flavoring for stews.
Thyme leaves may be used as a flavoring for stews.

Thyme foliage is made up of tiny, aromatic green leaves that reach about a quarter of an inch (6 mm) in length. The woody stems are tough and should be discarded before using in cooking. In summer, mother of thyme produces small purplish or pink flowers.

Despite its fragile appearance, this vigorous herb does best in average soil. In fact, too much fertilizer or water can harm the plant by making it grow too quickly, risking damage from winter freezes. The plant does well in rock gardens and can tolerate some foot traffic, although it may not tolerate it as much as other thyme varieties. The herb may be propagated from cuttings or divisions.

Thyme is resistant to deer and rabbit, plant diseases, and insects. Gardeners plant it near cabbage to repel white cabbage moths. It is hardy to temperatures as low as -20°F (-29°C), and in milder climates is evergreen through much of the winter.

Gardeners plant thyme near cabbage to repel white cabbage moths.
Gardeners plant thyme near cabbage to repel white cabbage moths.

To retain best growth and flavor, the dead stems should be pruned back in the spring to where the new growth begins. Additionally, as mother of thyme grows the center may lose its leaves and appear dead. Every three to four years as needed, the plant may be dug up in the spring and divided to maintain a healthier appearance. After division, soil should be kept moist until a new root system is established.

Thyme leaves are used as a flavoring for meats, stews, and vegetable dishes. Its leaves may be used for tea or dried and used in fragrant sachets. The herb also has been used medicinally for at least 5,000 years.

Discussion Comments

LisaLou

I have a flower garden in the front of my house and am looking to buy some walk-on-me thyme plants. You can plant these perennial ground covers and they will actually grow better when they are walked on. I have not tried them yet, but have been interested in buying some and have read about them in several gardening magazines.

I have some bare spots that I want to cover up and do not want to use mulch, so thought something like this would be perfect. There are other walk-on-me plants too, but I know for sure they have ones that are thyme.

SarahSon

If you like tea and want to try an interesting drink, plant some lemon thyme, and then put some of the leaves in your tea. It adds a very distinct flavor and the lemon really helps balance out the herbal scent.

I like to grow thyme on my window sill because it is one herb that does not get so tall and overgrown as many others do. It is easy to grow, just buy a packet of seeds, and you will have some fresh thyme in no time.

julies

I have a row of thyme planted in my garden and love the smell of this herb. I also use it when cooking many chicken dishes as it adds such wonderful flavor. It only gets about 6 inches high and has kind of minty, woodsy fragrance.

Because it is a perennial it comes back every year, but I can see how people use creeping thyme as a ground cover. It can spread like crazy if you are not careful. I see little pieces of thyme growing in places all over my garden.

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    • Thyme leaves may be used as a flavoring for stews.
      By: margo555
      Thyme leaves may be used as a flavoring for stews.
    • Gardeners plant thyme near cabbage to repel white cabbage moths.
      By: monticellllo
      Gardeners plant thyme near cabbage to repel white cabbage moths.
    • Mother of thyme may be added to stews and soups for flavoring purposes.
      By: Studio Gi
      Mother of thyme may be added to stews and soups for flavoring purposes.
    • Mother of thyme prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and is drought tolerant.
      By: Vasily Merkushev
      Mother of thyme prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and is drought tolerant.