Thyme is a drought-tolerant perennial that thrives in poor soils. It grows quickly and requires little care, making it an excellent choice for beginning gardeners. Although thyme doesn’t require much water, it still needs some to thrive.
How Often to Water Thyme?
Thyme requires little care. It grows well in a sunny location and can tolerate drought conditions. However, it also tolerates moist or wet soil and will develop root rot if the soil remains too moist.
You should water thyme every 10-15 days during the growing season and less frequently in winter.
Thyme needs good drainage to thrive. Amend your soil with compost or organic material such as peat moss before planting thyme to improve drainage and add nutrients to the soil.
How Much Water Do Thyme Plants Need?
Thyme plants need about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. In the fall and winter, give them no more than 1/4 inch per month.
Thyme plants should never be allowed to dry out completely. If you are having trouble keeping up with the watering needs of your thyme plant, consider installing drip irrigation around the perimeter of your garden bed and then placing the plant within the drip line so that it gets watered consistently throughout the day or week.
How To Tell It’s Time to Water Your Thyme
Thyme is one of the most drought-tolerant herbs, but it still needs water. If you’re not sure if your thyme plant needs a drink or not, here are some signs that will help you decide whether to water or not.
Leaves turn pale green or white
Thyme leaves normally have a pungent aroma — and if they start smelling less than fresh, it could be a sign that they need water. If the leaves on your thyme plant are turning pale green or white and feel papery, they’re probably in need of moisture.
Leaves droop and curl up
If the leaves on your thyme plant start curling up and drooping downward, it could be due to a lack of water. Thymes are very tolerant plants and can withstand dry conditions without too much trouble, but they do require regular watering to thrive.
Flowers don’t open properly
Thyme flowers come in a variety of colors including purple, pink, red, and white; however, when these blooms are closed off from sunlight because their petals aren’t fully opened up, this is another sign that your thyme needs more moisture in its soil.
How to Water Thyme
Water thyme plants deeply enough to soak their root zones thoroughly. Water early in the day so that the sun can evaporate any residual moisture from around the leaves before nightfall.
If you’re growing thyme in containers, use a watering can with holes drilled into the bottom so that water runs through instead of sitting on top of the soil and becoming stagnant. This will help prevent root rot and other diseases associated with too much standing water around plant roots.
Signs of Excessive Thyme Watering
If you live in a hot and humid climate or have naturally wet soil, it’s easy to overwater your plants. Excessive watering can cause root rot and mold on plant leaves and stems. If you’re not sure when your plants need water, look out for these signs of excessive thyme watering:
Leaves are dark green with white spots
Lush green foliage is an indication that your plant is getting enough water. However, if the leaves turn dark green with white spots or yellow streaks, the plant may be getting too much water. This happens because too much moisture causes leaves to lose their chlorophyll (the green pigment that gives plants their color) and turn brown.
Leaves have brown spots or yellow streaks
If you notice brown patches on the leaf edges or yellow streaks on the leaf veins, this may mean that your thyme needs more water. Brown spots on the leaves could also mean that there is too little sunlight reaching them; move them closer to a sunny spot indoors or outdoors so they receive more light.
Final Thoughts
Thyme is one of the herbs that can tolerate heat. For that reason, this herb doesn’t need to be watered often. During the summer, you can water them every 10-15 days. However, if it’s extremely hot, especially if it’s grown outside, it’s a good idea to water thyme more often, about once a week.
