Thyme is a hardy perennial herb, which means it survives throughout he winter months and will last for several years. Thyme grows to a height of up to 30cm. It is highly aromatic and emits a wonderful scent when trodden on.
One more question we ran across in our research was “Will thyme come back after winter?”.
One frequent answer is, sage and thyme will survive without any protection over the winter, but you probably won’t be able to crop any of them unless the winter is unusually mild. However, it will return in the spring unless the winter was unusually cold .
This is what our research found. thyme is considered cold hardy and can survive a cold Winter with frost (hardy in USDA zones 5-9 ), however, a severe frost or perhaps a late Spring frost (when new growth is emerging) can cause the plant to turn brown. (Read my article to learn how to solve thyme plants turning brown ).
Is Thyme a perennial or annual?
Culinary thyme is a hardy perennial that is evergreen in most gardening zones. If you grow your thyme in a container, feel free to leave it outside and let it enter a dormant state over winter. New leaves will emerge within the early spring.
Does Thyme grow back after 4 years?
Thyme can still grow after 4 years however the growth does naturally slow down and there may be some die back, with some of the leaves turning brown and dried up which is the natural life span of a thyme plant. A lack of sunlight can also limit overall growth and the aroma and flavour of the leaves.
This begs the query “When should I stop harvesting thyme?”
It is best though to stop harvesting thyme about three to four weeks before the first frost . This will allow the more tender stems on the thyme plant to harden off some before the cold comes and will make it so you have less dieback on the thyme plant over the winter.
This begs the inquiry “Why is my thyme plant dying?”
One common answer is, thyme plant that is turning brown, dry and dying back. Slow growth of leaves and foliage because of a lack of sun or nutrients . Drooping or slow growing thyme due to small pots or containers or a lack of drainage holes in the base of the pot. Thyme plant that requires reviving after Winter.
Should you cut back Thyme in the spring?
If thyme has suffered because of frost, then cut away any damaged growth in the Spring when the temperature is warmer, which stimulates new healthy growth. Do not cut away the growth if there is a threat of frost as the wound from the cut can be susceptible to further frost damage. Always plant thyme in an area with full sun.
Thyme plants, like most woody herbs, do best when they are pruned regularly. Taking the time to trim thyme not only creates a nicer looking plant, but also helps improve the amount you can harvest from the plant. Keep reading to learn how to cut thyme so that it grows best for you .
Can herbs survive the winter?
The colder your climate, the more your plants run the risk of not surviving the winter. Some cold hardy herbs (mint, thyme, oregano, sage, and chives) are very well adapted. In areas with frost, they grow as perennials, going dormant in the winter and coming back with new growth in the spring.
Which herbs are cold hardy?
Some cold hardy herbs ( mint, thyme, oregano, sage, and chives ) are very well adapted. In areas with frost, they grow as perennials, going dormant in the winter and coming back with new growth in the spring.
You might be wondering “What can I plant to overwinter my herbs?”
If you want to try overwintering it, plant it in extremely well-drained soil and mulch it heavily in the winter. Some other good cold hardy herbs include: Catnip., and lemon balm.