🌿 Herb Spotlight: Thyme
Common name: Thyme
Botanical name: Thymus spp.
Family: Lamiaceae
Tiny leaves, big flavor! Thyme is one of the hardest working herbs in the garden. Its earthy, savory aroma complements everything from roasted vegetables and grilled meats to soups, breads, and herb butters. Many varieties also make beautiful, low-growing landscape plants, attracting pollinators while adding fragrance and texture to the garden.
At The Flower Bin, we carry an exciting collection of culinary, ornamental, and specialty thyme varieties—there's truly a thyme for every gardener!
🌱 Why Grow Thyme?
1. A Kitchen Essential
Fresh thyme adds depth and flavor to countless recipes and is one of the most versatile herbs you can grow.
2. Pollinator Favorite
When in bloom, thyme's tiny flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
3. Drought Tolerant
Once established, thyme thrives with very little water, making it a great choice for Colorado gardens.
4. Beautiful in the Landscape
Many varieties form attractive mats or mounds, making them perfect for borders, rock gardens, and between steppingstones.
🌿 Which Thyme Is Right for You?
🌿 English Thyme (Zones 5–9)
The classic culinary thyme and a staple in every herb garden.
Why You'll Love It:
Rich, savory flavor
Excellent fresh or dried
Cold hardy and dependable
Best For:
Roasted meats
Soups and stews
Stuffing
Everyday cooking
🇫🇷 French Cooking Thyme (Zones 5–9)
A slightly more refined thyme with narrow leaves and a delicate aroma.
Why You'll Love It:
Mild, elegant flavor
Favorite of French chefs
Wonderful fresh or dried
Best For:
Chicken and fish
Vegetables
Classic French cuisine
Bouquet garnish
🍕 Pizza Thyme (Zones 5–9)
This flavorful variety has hints of oregano that make it perfect for Italian dishes.
Why You'll Love It:
Bold Mediterranean flavor
Wonderful fresh on pizza
Excellent companion to tomatoes
Best For:
Pizza
Pasta sauces
Focaccia
Italian cooking
🍋 Lemon Thyme (Zones 5–9)
Bright citrus notes make this one of the most versatile specialty thymes.
Why You'll Love It:
Fresh lemon fragrance
Beautiful light green foliage
Wonderful in summer dishes
Best For:
Seafood
Chicken
Vegetables
Tea
Lemonade
Herb butter
✨ Golden Lemon Thyme (Zones 5–9)
A colorful version of lemon thyme with golden-edged foliage.
Why You'll Love It:
Lemon flavor with beautiful, variegated leaves
Adds color to containers
Edible and ornamental
Best For:
Decorative herb gardens
Seafood
Salads
Garnishes
🌿 Silver Edge Thyme (Zones 5–9)
Elegant silver-edged foliage makes this variety a standout.
Why You'll Love It:
Attractive variegated leaves
Mild culinary flavor
Beautiful year-round interest
Best For:
Containers
Borders
Mixed herb gardens
🌼 Archer's Gold Thyme (Zones 5–9)
A vibrant golden thyme that brightens the garden all season long.
Why You'll Love It:
Golden foliage
Low-growing habit
Light thyme fragrance
Best For:
Rock gardens
Pathways
Decorative borders
Containers
🌱 Faustini Thyme (Zones 5–9)
A vigorous, low-growing thyme prized for its dense habit and aromatic foliage.
Why You'll Love It:
Fast-growing groundcover
Excellent fragrance
Tough and dependable
Best For:
Filling spaces between steppingstones
Rock gardens
Pollinator gardens
🍵 Pennsylvania Tea Thyme (Zones 4–8)
This North American native was traditionally brewed as a caffeine-free herbal tea.
Why You'll Love It:
Native perennial
Delicate thyme aroma
Beautiful tiny flowers
Extremely hardy
Best For:
Herbal teas
Native gardens
Pollinator habitat
Naturalized plantings
🌿 Growing & Care
☀️ Light
Prefers full sun
At least 6–8 hours daily
🌧️ Water
Water regularly until established
Drought tolerant once mature
Avoid overly wet soil
🌱 Soil
Excellent drainage is essential
Performs well in sandy or rocky soil
Does not like soggy roots
✂️ Pruning
Harvest regularly to encourage fresh growth
Lightly trim after flowering to maintain a tidy shape
Avoid cutting into old woody stems
🌡️ Growing Thyme in Zone 5
Thyme is one of the easiest perennial herbs to grow in Colorado!
Tips for Success:
Plant in full sun.
Choose a location with excellent drainage.
Avoid overwatering.
Mulch lightly over winter, but don't bury the crown.
Divide older plants every few years to keep them vigorous.
Most thyme varieties return reliably year after year, making them a wonderful long-term addition to the herb garden.
🌿 Harvesting Thyme
🌱 What to Harvest
Young stems and leafy sprigs
🌞 When to Harvest
Anytime during the growing season
Best flavor is just before flowering
Fresh thyme can be used immediately or dried for year-round cooking.
🧈 Homemade Lemon Thyme Compound Butter
This flavorful butter is delicious on grilled steaks, roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, fresh bread, or baked potatoes.
Ingredients
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped (English or Lemon Thyme work beautifully)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 small garlic clove, minced
¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt
Fresh cracked black pepper
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
Mix until evenly blended.
Spoon onto parchment paper and roll into a log.
Refrigerate until firm.
Slice and melt over grilled meats, vegetables, or warm bread.
Variation: Try using Pizza Thyme for an Italian-inspired butter to serve with garlic bread or grilled vegetables.
🌸 Final Thoughts
Whether you're seasoning a roast with English Thyme, adding a citrusy twist with Lemon Thyme, brewing a comforting cup of Pennsylvania Tea Thyme, or planting Archer's Gold and Silver Edge for year-round beauty, thyme is one of the most versatile herbs you can grow.
With so many varieties to choose from, you can enjoy delicious flavors, beautiful foliage, and pollinator-friendly blooms all in one garden.
Come visit The Flower Bin to explore our wonderful collection of thyme varieties and discover your new favorite herb! 🌿
