Herb · Lamiaceae family · with preparation per the EMA
common thyme
Thymus vulgaris
In short a 10-second read
Common thyme (herb) grows to 0.15–0.3 m tall and 0.2–0.4 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. It flowers in May–July; the flowers are purple, pink or white. Plant out in March–May, September–November. Hardy to −26 °C.
× spread 0.2–0.4 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −26 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: little
Soil: sandy, gravelly, loamy
Soil pH 6–8
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May–July · purple, pink or white
Pruning
cut back by a third (March)
Planting out
container plant: March–May, September–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −26 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −26 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Ready-made combinations.
Ready-made Studio combinations that include common thyme
Chives, parsley, basil and thyme — the herbs a kitchen runs out of…
Sage, thyme, oregano and savory — fragrant herbs for a sunny, drier…
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does common thyme flower?
In May–July; the flowers are purple, pink or white.
Does common thyme tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does common thyme need?
At maturity 0.2–0.4 m wide and 0.15–0.3 m tall; recommended spacing 25 cm.
Does common thyme survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −26 °C.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 11 expert sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (11)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Plants For A Future
- RHS Plant Finder
- EMA/HMPC - Thymi herba (herbal medicine)
- OSU Extension - Growing Herbs
- Missouri Botanical Garden - Herbs factsheet
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - How to grow perennial plants
- Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Finder
- Heron's Head Nursery
- RHS
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
Preparation and use · common thyme
How to prepare it.
According to the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
part: aerial parts
For: productive (chesty) cough with a cold EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 1–2 g of dried aerial parts in 150 ml of boiling water EMA 4.2
- How often
- 3–4× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Put 1–2 g of dried aerial parts in a cup.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
EMA 4.2 - 3
Steep for 5–15 min.
EMA/HMPC/5829/201010:00 - 4
Drink 3–4× a day.
EMA 4.2
part: aerial parts
Tincture from a pharmacy
For: productive (chesty) cough with a cold EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Tincture EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Tincture
- 1 : 10, ethanol 70 % EMA 2
- Maceration
- 3 days pharmacopoeia (USP)
- Single dose
- 40 drops EMA 4.2
- How often
- 3× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Measure out 40 drops of tincture.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Take it 3× a day.
EMA 4.2
For: productive (chesty) cough with a cold EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Tincture EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Tincture
- 1 : 5, ethanol 70 % EMA 2
- Maceration
- 3 days pharmacopoeia (USP)
- Single dose
- 2–6 ml EMA 4.2
- How often
- 3× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Measure out 2–6 ml of tincture. EMA 4.2
- 2
Take it 3× a day. EMA 4.2
Dosage
| Form | Single dose | How often | For whom | How long | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: aerial parts | 1–2 g of dried aerial parts in 150 ml of boiling water EMA 4.2 | 3–4× a day | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 1 week → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | |
| Tincturefrom a pharmacy or at home ↓part: aerial parts | 40 drops EMA 4.2 | 3× a day | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 1 week → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | Tincture: 1 : 10, ethanol 70 % EMA 2 |
| Tincturefrom a pharmacy or at home ↓part: aerial parts | 2–6 ml EMA 4.2 | 3× a day | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 1 week → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | Tincture: 1 : 5, ethanol 70 % EMA 2 |
| Children under 12: not recommended EMA 4.2 | |||||
How long
If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Who should not use it
- Children under 12: not recommended EMA 4.2
- If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant EMA 4.3
- If allergic to plants of the mint family (Lamiaceae) EMA 4.3
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended) EMA 4.6
Cautions
- If shortness of breath, fever or purulent sputum occurs, see a doctor. EMA 4.4
- If symptoms get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.4
- The tincture contains alcohol (ethanol). EMA 4.4
- If you take any medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist. GridGarden
- Do not drive after taking it. GridGarden
Home-made tincture · per the EMA
Tincture at home.
The EMA also lists a tincture. This is how to make it from dried herb from your bed.
Weigh
of dried aerial parts, chopped
calculated · 1 : 10Cover with alcohol
ethanol 70 %, in a glass jar
EMA 2Leave to steep
close the jar, keep it in the dark and shake it now and then
pharmacopoeia (USP)Use
3× a day · from 12 years
EMA 4.2Before taking the tincture
The tincture contains alcohol. Read this before use:
- Children under 12: not recommendedEMA 4.2
- If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plantEMA 4.3
- If allergic to plants of the mint family (Lamiaceae)EMA 4.3
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended)EMA 4.6
- The tincture contains alcohol (ethanol).EMA 4.4
- If shortness of breath, fever or purulent sputum occurs, see a doctor.EMA 4.4
- If symptoms get worse, see a doctor.EMA 4.4
- If you take any medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist.GridGarden
- Do not drive after taking it.GridGarden
Source: EMA/HMPC monograph EMA/HMPC/342332/2013 · Steeping days and straining