Whether for seasoning meat or for decorating your home, knowing how to care for thyme properly is essential if you are interested in growing this type of plant. Easy to propagate, thyme appears as a great option for those who like to keep small vegetable gardens or pots in the apartment.
How to plant Thyme at home?
Care for thyme begins at planting time. In domestic environments, it is worth planting it in a home garden , in an individual vase or directly in the ground, if you have a small garden. If you want to plant it in the same bed as other herbs, give preference to plants like rosemary, lavender and mint.
After choosing the place where the thyme will be planted, acquire the necessary gardening materials, such as a shovel, a vase of about 15 centimeters, sandy soil, watering can and pruning tools, in addition to the seeds of the plant .
To plant thyme , fill the pot with sandy soil or half with sand and half with common soil. Bury about four seeds in the pot and water them daily. Once you notice the first seedlings, water them only when the soil is dry.
Caring for your Thyme
Now that you know how to plant thyme in a pot , it remains to learn how to take good care of your little plant. First of all, you need to choose the location where you will keep your garden or container properly.
That’s because, when we talk about how to take care of thyme, it’s essential to know that it needs to receive at least four hours of daily sunlight. This type of plant copes very well with hot temperatures and dry environments, so keep that in mind when deciding where to place the pot. Next, check out other precautions.
Irrigation
As mentioned, after the seeds have germinated, try to water the thyme plant only when the soil is dry. This frequency tends to be once a week for most of the year and two to three times a week during warm seasons.
A valid tip not only for growing thyme , but also for other species, is not to water with the vase placed in the sun. This action can burn the leaves and even kill the plant.
Another useful tip for knowing whether or not to water your thyme is to touch the earth. If it’s wet, wait at least one more day to water it. If it’s dry, it’s likely the plant is in need of water.
Ground
It’s worth reinforcing: thyme land needs to have a sandy texture. Therefore, it is advisable to add sand or a little limestone inside the vase. In addition, these elements help with the drainage of water. Below the vase, do not use the famous dish. This item can muffle the plant and disrupt breathing.
Pruning
Pruning needs to be done between 60 and 120 days after planting the seeds, that is, it must be done after the vase is already full of branches. To do the pruning, do not pull the leaves, as this action damages the plant.
Cut the twigs with scissors and keep the youngest seedlings in the vase. Another time to prune is when the thyme flowers begin to appear. Take advantage of the branches with flowers removed to make ornaments and decorate your home environments, combining with other flowers in a different container!
Uses of Thyme
One of the main uses of thyme is in gastronomy. Used as a seasoning, it provides a special flavor for meats! Also, it can be used as a tea, although it is recommended to be careful, as allergic people, pregnant women and breastfeeding women should not use this substance.
It is believed that the plant has therapeutic power to calm and reduce stress. Many also say that thyme tea is an appetite stimulant. In the hygiene products industry, thyme is also used to make toothpaste and mouthwash.
Whatever the use, thyme has several properties and functions. In addition to those mentioned, it looks beautiful in branches of flowers and gardens. If you like a very flowery flower bed full of butterflies, have no doubt, this is a great choice!
Facts about Thyme
Did you know that thyme is a perennial plant? This means that, under ideal conditions, it has a long life cycle. If you take good care of your thyme, it can easily live up to seven years! Below, check out some more curiosities of this beloved plant:
- thyme flowers bloom annually. They are small, delicate and can have different shades of pink;
- thyme can reach up to 30 centimeters in height;
- there are over 200 species of thyme.
- the best time to harvest thyme is just before it blooms. It is during this period that fragrance and flavor are at their peak;
- it is possible to replace the salt in the culinary preparation with thyme, since the plant has a remarkable flavor.