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How to grow thyme from cutting

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Thyme can readily be propagated from cuttings, and it’s a great way to introduce yourself to another thyme plant. It is also a beautiful indoor plant that thrives in bright conditions on the kitchen windowsill.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), also known as culinary thyme, is a popular herb that may be found in a wide range of cuisines. If you love cooking , you’ve probably got plenty of dried thyme in your pantry. This member of the Lamiaceae family is great in salad, Mediterranean lentil soup, pizza or in osso bucco.

It is a tiny perennial plant that can grow in various climates and is an excellent option for any home garden.

It’s difficult to germinate from seed, but it’s reasonably easy to do so from cuttings! Thyme has a horizontal growth pattern, which naturally spreads in soil. This herb may root in water or directly in the ground if the cutting is timed correctly and the proper stem is used; thus, it’s usually best to pot it.

growing thyme from cutting

Thyme Cuttings: When

Knowing when to take a cutting from a thyme plant is critical for it to flourish is vital. A stem must be mature enough to live but not too robust, as hardwood cuts from woody stems are far less likely to establish themselves. Taking a softwood cutting improves the odds of success.

It’s also wise not to attempt to take a cutting from a thyme plant that has just begun to blossom in the fall. This is because it is in a distinct growth phase and would struggle to establish roots readily. Thyme blooms in the late spring to early summer, so taking thyme cuttings at this time is wise. The plant should still have soft stem development, but flower buds should be visible.

propagating thyme in water
propagating thyme in water

Thyme Cuttings: How

Choose a healthy thyme plant with lots of green growth. When cutting from any fresh herb, use sharp pruning shears, scissors, or a sharp knife. To develop a cutting, you need a clean cut with a blunt instrument, and using one might result in ragged tips that enable disease or insects to attack the cutting or parent plant. Cutting should be done by taking half of the stem’s length at most. This will leave plenty of growth on the plant for it to regrow naturally.

Select a stem as follows: 

  • Soft green stems
  • At least 4 inches long
  • No flowering buds

Cut straight below a leaf pair (growth node), aiming for at least a 2-inch cutting.

growing thyme from seed

Preparing the Cuttings

Remove the lower leaves from the leaf nodes until only the bottom half of the cutting is left, but maintain at least three pairs of leaves on top of the stem to support growth once roots are established. Thyme as well as oregano may be rooted in water, but it is easier and more effective to do so with a natural rooting hormone.

Using the Hormone

Dip the bottom most part of each cutting in a natural rooting hormone before planting to stimulate the rooting process. Plant cuttings as soon as possible after taking them to ensure they take root.

Cuttings In Water

If you can’t plant the thyme quickly enough, place it in a small glass or jar of fresh water similar to dracaena and allow it to root. Change the water every few days and throw out any roots that begin to brown. After a week or two, seeds should start to show. Before planting the rooted cutting into the soil, wait until the roots are at least half an inch long.

how to transplant thyme

Planting

Make a post out of some potting soil. The best is a high-quality potting mix tested for pests and diseases. Thyme prefers well-drained soil, so choose a brand with this in mind.

For each cutting, please make a small hole in the earth, set the cutting to about half its depth, and then firmly press the potting mix back around it until it stands securely upright.

how to grow thyme indoors

Caring

While your thyme cuttings are establishing themselves, please keep them in a warm location away from direct sunshine. Full sun is ideal for mature thyme plants, but it may be harsh on the young ones. Thyme cuttings require more moisture than mature plants, but they are just as vulnerable to root rot if overwatered.

To get the proper moisture balance without overwatering, I recommend using a spray bottle to keep the soil and cutting slightly damp but not soggy. You may need to check the soil’s moisture levels frequently to achieve an appropriate moisture level without overwatering.

How long do thyme cuttings take to grow?

Thyme cuttings from your herb garden should have rooted after four to six weeks and be ready to transplant to a larger container or into your herb garden afterward.

how to propagate thyme

Vladka on July 4th, 2022

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