Growing Thyme is very doable — it just needs the right care because thyme loves warm, sunny, and dry conditions, which matches much of India's climate! Here’s a simple guide:
Container
Size: Minimum 6–8 inches deep and wide.
Drainage: Must have good drainage holes at the bottom.
Soil Preparation
Type: Well-draining, sandy or gritty soil.
Mix:
50% garden soil
30% sand or perlite
20% compost (not too heavy)
Thyme hates wet, soggy soil, so avoid heavy clay soils.
Sowing the Seeds
Start seeds indoors or in shade because they are tiny.
Sprinkle seeds on moist soil and lightly press (don't bury them deep).
Mist spray daily until germination (about 2–3 weeks).
Sunlight
Needs 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Keep it in the sunniest spot (terrace, balcony, south-facing window).
Watering
Water only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry.
Overwatering = death of thyme! 😅
In winter, water even less.
Fertilizing
Thyme doesn’t need much fertilizer.
A light compost feed once every 2 months is enough.
Too much fertilizer = less flavor in leaves.
Pruning
Regularly pinch off the top tips to encourage bushy growth.
After flowering, cut back the plant by 1/3rd to keep it tidy.
Pests/Diseases
Thyme is pretty resistant to pests.
Rarely, you may see aphids — spray with neem oil if needed.
Harvesting
Start harvesting once the plant is well established (around 3–4 months).
Pick leaves as needed.
Best flavor is just before the plant flowers.