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// SPECIES PROFILE · FOOD CROP · CULTIVATED

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a cultivated perennial food crop grown for its edible leaf, flower. Family: Lamiaceae (mint family). Originally from Southern Europe. Hardy in zones 5a–9a. Mature size 6"–1'. Harvest in northeastern Oklahoma: Year-round.

// QUICK FACTS
Family
Lamiaceae (mint family)
Group
crop · perennial
Origin
Southern Europe · cultivated
USDA zones
Zones 5a–9a
Mature size
6"–1'
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low · xeric
Edible parts
leaf, flower
Harvest (NE OK)
Year-round
Garden role
drought-tolerant culinary groundcover · bee magnet in bloom · thrives in lean rocky soil
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thymus vulgaris — Thyme. Photo by Henry Brisse (upload by user:Abalg) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a cultivated perennial food crop grown for its edible leaf, flower. Family: Lamiaceae (mint family). Originally from Southern Europe. Hardy in zones 5a–9a. Mature size 6"–1'. Harvest in northeastern Oklahoma: Year-round. Low water use makes it a strong candidate for xeric and drought-conscious plantings.

Why it's on this list: drought-tolerant culinary groundcover · bee magnet in bloom · thrives in lean rocky soil. A cultivated food crop — not a native — grown alongside regional natives in Rooted Revival's kitchen-garden and food-forest designs. Harvest windows are for northeastern Oklahoma (USDA zone 7a).

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In a kitchen garden or food-forest guild, thyme pairs well with: Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), Culinary Sage (Salvia officinalis), Cabbage (Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group)), Garden Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa).

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