Garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris, Sp. Pl.: 591 (1753))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 591 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Thymus

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. Europe, SE. Italy

Description

Garden thyme, known scientifically as Thymus vulgaris, stands as a venerable herb renowned for its aromatic properties and versatile use in culinary and medicinal domains. This perennial herb hails from the warm and sunny regions of Southwestern Europe and Southeastern Italy, where it has been cherished and cultivated for centuries.

Thymus vulgaris is a member of the Lamiaceae family, a large and vibrant family of flowering plants. Characterized by its small, grey-green leaves and clusters of tiny, tubular flowers that range in color from pink to purple, garden thyme exudes a strong, pleasant aroma. This fragrance is a testament to the essential oils present in the plant, which are harvested for a variety of uses.

In the culinary world, garden thyme is celebrated for its robust flavor, which enhances an array of dishes from meats and stews to soups and sauces. Its resilient nature makes it a steadfast component in herb gardens, where its leaves can be freshly picked and incorporated into meals. The plant’s dried leaves are equally potent, ensuring a year-round supply of seasoning.

Beyond the kitchen, Thymus vulgaris has been utilized for its medicinal qualities. Historically, it has been employed to treat a range of ailments due to its antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. The essential oils extracted from garden thyme, particularly thymol, are a common ingredient in mouthwashes and natural cleaning products, valued for their ability to purify and disinfect.

Cultivating garden thyme is relatively straightforward, demanding a sunny location and well-drained soil to thrive. It is a hardy plant that can withstand harsh conditions, making it a favorite among gardeners. Whether grown in a pot, a garden bed, or a windowsill container, its low-maintenance care regime makes it accessible to both novice and experienced gardeners.

In summary, garden thyme, or Thymus vulgaris, is a multifaceted herb that continues to enchant with its fragrant leaves and valuable oils. Its contributions to culinary delights and natural remedies underscore its enduring appeal and versatility, firmly rooting it in the hearts and kitchens of those who appreciate its unique qualities.

Common Names

Deu: gewürz-thymian, thymian, echter thymian, echter thymian, gewürz-thymian, garten-thymian
Eng: english thyme, garden thyme, common thyme, common-thyme, garden-thyme, thyme
Fra: farigoule, frigoule, thym, thym commun
Hun: kerti kakukkfű
Nno: kryddertimian
Nob: kryddertimian
Swe: kryddtimjan, tarha-ajuruoho, timjami, trädgårdstimjan, timjan
Ces: mateřidouška obecná (tymián)
Por: poejo, tomilho
Fin: tarha-ajuruoho, timjami
Ita: timo, timo maggiore
Spa: tomillo, tomillo común
Nld: echte tijm
Cym: gruw, teim, teim y gerddi
En: Garden thyme, English thyme, Thyme, Common thyme, Common-thyme, Garden-thyme, Culinary Thyme, French Thyme, Winter Thyme, Doretta Klaber Thyme
Af: Egte tiernie
Ar: زعتر شائع, Satar ramsi, Satr, Zatr, زعتر, زَعْتَر, سَعْتَر, صعتر, صَعْتَر
Az: Adi kəklikotu
Eu: Ezkai
Be: Чабор звычайны
Bg: Обикновена мащерка
Ca: Tem, Timonet, Tomell, Tomello, Farigola, Timó
Zh: 普通百里香
Hr: Timijan
Cs: Mateřídouška obecná, Tymián obecný, Mateřidouška obecná (tymián), Tymián
Da: Have-Timian, Almindelig timian
Nl: Echte tijm, Thijmus
Eo: Ordinara timiano
Et: Aed-liivatee
Fi: Tarha-ajuruoho, Timjami, Tarha-ajuruoho, timjami
Fr: Farigoule, Frigoule, Thym commun, Thym, Thym cultivé, Thym vulgaire, Thym (ordinaire)
Gl: Tomiño
De: Thymian, Echter Thymian, Echter Thymian, Gewürz-Thymian, Garten-Thymian, Gewürz-Thymian, Französischer Sommer Thymian, Römischer Quendel
Ht: Ten
He: בת קורנית פשוטה
Hu: Kerti kakukkfű
Is: Garðablóðberg
Id: Herba timi
It: Timo, Timo maggiore, Pepolino
Ko: 타임
Lv: Timiāns
Lt: Vaistinis čiobrelis
Lb: Teimerjännchen
Ms: Timi
Nb: Kryddertimian
Nn: Kryddertimian
Oc: Badassa, Baiassa, Farigola, Ferigola, Frigola
Dan: almindelig timian, have-timian
Ps: سعتر
Fa: آویشن
Pl: Macierzanka, Tymianek właściwy, Macierzanka tymianek
Pt: Tomilho, Poejo, Tomilho-ordinário
Pt-br: Tomilho
Ro: Cimbru de câmp
Ru: Тимьян обыкновенный
Sr: Тимијан
Sk: Dúška tymianová
Es: Tomillo, Tomillo común, Tomillo limonero, Tomizo
Sv: Kryddtimjan, Tarha-ajuruoho, timjami, Trädgårdstimjan, Timjan
Ur: حاشا
Cy: Teim y gerddi, Gruw, Teim

Synonyms

• Thymus collinus (Salisb.)
• Origanum thymus (Kuntze)

Distribution

• Baleares (native)
• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Spain (native)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Dec 22, 2019 by Farners (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2022 by Imen ارق5هقصسف Ben harkat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2022 by roxanapasseri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 14, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Vargová Gabriela (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 5, 2020 by ayms ja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2021 by yisus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − vauzeilles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2019 by Lagosanto Benjamin (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Mana Mana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2019 by J M Durand (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2018 by Julian Diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 2, 2021 by Occhiuzzo Marcelo (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 12, 2016 by miguel angel del viejo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2016 by Tela Botanica − jean-marie PAGNIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2021 by pi frederic (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2022 by Emilio Nieto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2019 by Bogdan Sidorenko (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2022 by Collados Ana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2021 by Wilson Andrade (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:461765-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341442)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Thymus vulgaris L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Subshrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 4