Getting a companion to spend time with makes daily life less complicated and more satisfying. That goes for your plants, as well, and a lot of crops will increase much better if they’re positioned close to a “companion” plant. For instance, one plant might endure from a certain insect, but another will have properties the identical insect hates.
Planting them jointly will be a boon for both! Thyme is a fantastic companion plant it’s a hardy perennial herb well-known in French, Mediterranean, and Italian meals. The explanation is that thyme boosts the defenses of other plants, raises their growth, is drought-tolerant, and wants extremely minor focus.
Asking yourself which vegetation would make outstanding companion crops with thyme? If indeed, we have the response for you! Read on to find out the seventeen companion vegetation for thyme, how to plant them, and many other useful companion gardening ideas under!
The Top 17 Companion Plants for Thyme
1. Blueberries
| Scientific Name | Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus |
| Type | Fruit |
| Location | Nearby |
Not only are blueberries a superfood and a single of the most delightful fruits, but they also make an superb companion plant with thyme. One particular purpose is that thyme draws in honeybees, and the bees will pollinate your blueberries.
Thyme is also a deterrent to numerous types of pests that can influence blueberries, so planting it close by will keep your blueberry crops more healthy and provide a larger crop. Some gardening professionals say that thyme will also improve your blueberry’s taste.
2. Broccoli
| Scientific Name | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
| Type | Vegetable |
| Location | Together |
As a cabbage crop, broccoli is also a superfood and is extremely well-liked. Planting thyme with your broccoli will help this nutritious veggie significantly since of thyme’s capacity to repel awful pests like aphids and cabbage moths. Much more than that, however, thyme draws in ladybugs, and ladybugs eat aphids. It’s been estimated that a single ladybug can consume upwards of fifty aphids a working day!
3. Brussels Sprouts
| Scientific Name | Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera |
| Type | Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera |
| Location | Together |
Brussels sprouts, people infamous small cabbages from the land of Belgium, are deemed a delicacy by grownups but not by young children. If you have Brussels sprouts in your garden, planting thyme along with them is a great notion simply because it will maintain a number of pests absent.
Thyme, as we pointed out before, also draws in ladybugs, and, like honeybees, ladybugs are pollinators that will assist your Brussels sprout vegetation prosper. In addition, when you are cooking them, incorporating fresh thyme to your b-sprouts preferences excellent!
4. Cabbage
| Scientific Name | Brassica oleracea var. capitata |
| Type | Vegetable |
| Location | Together |
Cabbage does quite effectively when planted collectively with thyme. A lot of of the pests that plague cabbage loathe thyme and its extreme aroma. Also, whilst cabbage will take up a great deal of soil place, thyme does not, so planting them with each other isn’t a issue. Finally, thyme keeps absent 1 of the cabbage’s biggest pests, cabbage worms. With thyme nearby, you’ll have cabbage aplenty this harvest season.
5. Cauliflower
| Scientific Name | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis |
| Type | Vegetable |
| Location | Together |
Like cabbage and broccoli, cauliflower is negatively influenced by many horrible bugs and pests. Nevertheless, when you give it a thyme companion, a lot of of those pests remain much absent. Also, as described beforehand, thyme attracts the lovely ladybug, and ladybugs consume up aphids quickly.
Ladybugs are also pollinators like bees and will enhance your cauliflower’s dimension and harvest. If you like cauliflower with cheddar cheese smothered on best, plant thyme close by, and you will have plenty!
6. Eggplant
| Scientific Name | Solanum melongena |
| Type | Vegetable, nightshade |
| Location | Together |
Do you adore eggplant parmigiana? It’s an Italian farmer foodstuff that became an intercontinental delicacy. Loads of time goes into generating this sumptuous dish, and lots of thyme is employed in the recipe, also. Planting both in the very same vicinity helps make a great deal of perception, specifically when you take into account that thyme retains backyard moths away, and backyard moths can make a mess of your eggplants. Not only will it preserve moths away, but thyme does it naturally with out the require for insecticides.
7. Kale
| Scientific Name | Brassica oleracea var. sabellica |
| Type | Vegetable |
| Location | Together |
As the final of the cabbage family of veggies on today’s checklist, kale is also an additional superfood that belongs on each menu. Planting thyme as a companion plant for kale (and vice versa) gives a number of positive aspects for each plants. The kale retains the soil from receiving as well soaked, and the thyme keeps the kale from getting devoured by aphids and other destructive bugs.
As we’ve witnessed, thyme draws in ladybugs which eat aphids by the spoonful, and, in switch, those same ladybugs pollinate the kale vegetation. It’s a gardening get-acquire!
8. Lavender
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/155303887668380766/
| Scientific Name | Lavandula |
| Type | Herb |
| Location | Together |
Not only is lavender one particular of the most well-liked herbs used as an essential oil, but it is also been discovered to perform nicely in assuaging the ache of rheumatism and neuralgia. Lavender tends to make an superb companion plant with thyme as each have related developing, h2o, and soil needs. Lavender also shields thyme from getting too considerably sunshine. Plus, both of these advantageous plants scent like a slice of heaven!
9. Oregano
| Scientific Name | Origanum vulgare |
| Type | Herb |
| Location | Together |
Oregano is yet another herb used largely in Italian food but also in Turkish, Greek, and Mexican delicacies. It is one of the most pungent of all herbs. Oregano and thyme develop in related conditions, making it simpler to develop them as companion plants. In addition, your thyme plants will give a shady blanket for your oregano vegetation and keep them from drying out.
10. Potatoes
| Scientific Name | Solanum tuberosum* (*Where the nickname “tuber” comes from!) |
| Type | Vegetable |
| Location | Nearby |
What is fascinating about thyme is that it appeals to specified insects that can eliminate other bugs that destroy potato plants. One of those bugs is the parasitic wasp. Thyme attracts these amazing (and admittedly grotesque) bugs and, by performing so, protects potato vegetation from Colorado potato beetles.
Which is excellent since too a lot of Colorado potato beetles can quickly demolish your potato crop. Also, it is believed that thyme crops will improve the taste of your potatoes (even though this relies upon mostly on your distinct style buds).
11. Rosemary
| Scientific Name | Salvia rosmarinus |
| Type | Herb |
| Location | Close by |
Like thyme, rosemary is a flavorful and well-known herb utilized in many cuisines close to the planet. Equally herbs need to have comparable expanding problems, which makes it simpler to expand them up coming to each and every other. They equally repel a selection of bugs, also. One particular caveat is that if you grow a tall rosemary variety, really don't increase it in the same pot as your thyme. Tall rosemary vegetation will frequently protect scaled-down thyme plants and reduce their chances of flourishing.
12. Roses
| Scientific Name | Rosa rubiginosa |
| Type | Flower |
| Location | Nearby |
Roses are, without a doubt, one particular of the world’s most beautiful and aromatic bouquets. Did you know that you can consume rose petals? It is true! You can eat them uncooked, in salads, and even in granola! The explanation to plant thyme and roses up coming to each and every other as companion crops is a lot more for the roses than the thyme considering that thyme repels many bugs that ruin the superb flower. They consist of aphids and black flies, so be sure to plant thyme near your roses if you want them to bloom fantastically.
13. Sage
| Scientific Name | Salvia officinalis |
| Type | Herb |
| Location | Together |
Sage and thyme are fantastic companion vegetation due to the fact they equally like well-drained, drier soil and can deal with moderate drought circumstances. However, you ought to plant thyme close to the outskirts of your sage vegetation since sage likes to creep and can overpower your thyme if you really don't. Like thyme, sage repels a number of bugs and pests, which includes snails, beetles, and carrot flies. Plus, as every person is aware, you cannot have a steak without having sage and thyme (in addition some parsley and rosemary).
14. Salad Burnet
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/565201821997651614/
| Scientific Name | Sanguisorba minor |
| Type | Herb |
| Location | Together |
Here’s a key we wager you did not know about salad burnet it’s a member of the rose household. Like rose petals, you can try to eat salad burnet and use it in salads. Some use this interesting and fragrant herb in their combined adult beverages. In addition, it’s utilised to flavor vinegar.
Planting thyme as a companion plant with salad burnet will empower it to thrive as the ladybugs that thyme attracts are great pollinators. Furthermore, the two crops beside every single other are very desirable and scent delightful.
15. Shallots
| Scientific Name | Allium cepa gr. aggregatum |
| Type | Allium cepa gr. aggregatum |
| Location | Together |
If you like onions, you’ll really like the more delicate and refined flavor of shallots. Use them with white wine as a sauce for steamed oysters! As it’s been stated to do with many other vegetation on today’s record, thyme boosts the taste of shallots. Far more than that, thyme is also a worm deterrent, and worms are the bane of shallot plants. Collectively the two vegetation will prosper and, when cooked collectively, will kick the taste of any dish up a notch!
16. Strawberries
| Scientific Name | Fragaria × ananassa |
| Type | Fruit |
| Location | Between rows |
As one of the planet’s favourite fruits, strawberries are delicious, nutritious, packed with fiber, and flavor incredible dipped in chocolate. There are many excellent motives to plant thyme as a companion for strawberries. The 1st is that the thyme will preserve strawberry-ingesting worms away.
When planted among your rows of strawberries, thyme crops will smother any weeds that attempt to spring up. And lastly, by planting thyme with your strawberries, you will preserve the soil moist for them because thyme offers outstanding floor go over.
17. Tomatoes
| Scientific Name | Solanum Lycopersicum |
| Type | Fruit |
| Location | Nearby |
Is there everything better than a warm, freshly picked tomato eaten right off the vine? 1 of the very best factors to plant thyme as a companion for tomatoes is that thyme is the all-natural enemy of the tomato hornworm, and tomato hornworms can ruin your tomato vegetation.
Obtaining thyme plants in close proximity to your tomatoes will safeguard them from other insects and increase their flavor when they ripen. A minor refreshing thyme sprinkled on a tomato salad is also savory and enjoyable!
Thyme Growing Tips
Despite the fact that thyme is a single of the best herbs to care for, there are a number of issues you can do to make certain it thrives and supplies companionship for your other vegetation.
Grow Thyme from Cuttings or Buy Plants
This suggestion may well look odd, thinking about it is so easy to care for, but expanding thyme from seeds is a frustrating affair. Which is since the seeds grow quite little by little, and they germinate inconsistently. It’s better to get thyme crops that have already been began or develop them from cuttings you “borrow” from a buddy or family members member. Following your thyme vegetation take maintain, you can get started reproducing them from your possess cuttings.
Plant Thyme in Full Sun
Thyme arrives from the Mediterranean and enjoys lots of sunshine and scorching temperature. Therefore, it is needed to plant thyme where it will get at minimum eight hrs of total sunlight a day. If you’re expanding thyme indoors, make sure it is shut to a good light resource.
Space Thyme Plants About 12 Inches Apart
Thyme is a relatively bushy herb that will spread out and up. Most thyme types (there are above three hundred of them) require about twelve inches of place, but some may demand a tiny much more.
Thyme Needs Well-Draining Soil
As we’ve mentioned, thyme is drought-tolerant, which implies it can still survive and even prosper when there’s not a great deal of drinking water to be had. In simple fact, if you give thyme also much h2o, its roots will rot, and the plant will die, so make sure the soil drains properly.
Plant Thyme Outside in Mid Spring
If you’re planting thyme in your backyard, it can be planted in mid-spring when the soil temperature reaches about 70℉. Generally, which is a few months ahead of the previous frost of the year, so really don't fret if it is nevertheless cold outside the house in the morning.
After 4 Years, Replace your Thyme Plants
Thyme is a perennial plant and will increase back every yr. It will also unfold, so you want to reign it in, so it does not go all in excess of the location. One particular small problem, although, is that, following four a long time, thyme plants begin shedding their taste and get reedy or woody. When they do, get rid of and compost previous plants and change them with new crops.
What Makes Thyme such a Fantastic Companion Plant?
What is it about thyme that helps make it this kind of a amazing companion plant for other crops? Primarily, thyme repels a wide selection of bugs that can attack, try to eat, and destroy your other vegetation, especially aphids. Below are a few other motives thyme is a excellent companion to several of your other plants, which includes:
- It fits in between other plants but doesn’t overpower them.
- Thyme attracts bees!
- It covers the ground around other plants to keep the soil from drying out too much.
- Many gardeners swear that thyme improves the flavor of the plants around it.
- Thyme attracts ladybugs which are similar to bees and pollinate your crops.
- Thyme prevents weeds from growing by covering the soil and preventing them from getting sunlight.
Worst Companion Plants for Thyme
As significantly as thyme tends to make a good companion for numerous species, there are many that really don't do nicely in close proximity to this incredible herb for distinct reasons. Beneath are three crops that shouldn’t be positioned near your thyme plants:
1. Basil
For some reason, basil doesn’t do properly near other herbs, which includes thyme. Rather, you must plant basil near lettuce plants and any sort of cabbage crops like cauliflower, broccoli, or kale. That way, the basil’s normal pest-deterring homes will support people other vegetation thrive.
2. Chives
Chives need to have soil that is much moister than thyme and, as a result, shouldn’t be planted close by as watering the previous could ruin the latter.
3 Cilantro
Cilantro also wants moist soil that stays moist all the time, whereas thyme demands soil that drains properly and stays reasonably dry. Furthermore, while thyme grows properly in sandy soil, cilantro doesn’t. Planting thyme and cilantro together could be a recipe for disaster.
Final Thoughts
Thyme can make a wonderful companion plant for a number of herbs, fruits, and greens. It keeps pests absent but also attracts several advantageous bugs. Thyme also helps prevent soil from drying out, supplies shade to some smaller sized herbs, and grows nicely among crops simply because it doesn’t contend for area or water. Furthermore, thyme is one of the tastiest herbs and provides an earthy, minty flavor to several recipes.
We hope you appreciated all of the information and gorgeous images we shared today and that you now have a far better concept of which plants will make excellent companions for thyme (and vice versa). Best of luck with all your gardening tasks this year, and Bon Appetit!
Featured Picture Credit score: Frank Fischbach, Shutterstyock
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