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Gardening adventures in a small space
Growing Herbs on the Balcony
- Perennial
- Prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade
- Enjoys well drained sandy soil
- Grows 6 to 12 inches tall
- Some varieties can start from seed
Thyme is an evergreen perennial. Being compact and hardy makes it a perfect plant for container growing. I've grown German Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) from seed and occasionally purchased other varieties of thyme from the garden center, such as Lemon Thyme (Thymus x citriodorous).
Like Oregano, the seeds are very small and a pain to deal with. Most cultivars will not grow true from seed so it's best to purchase starter plants from the garden center. They do propagate easily though, by cuttings or layering. I have seen cuttings of German Thyme form a good size root ball after only a few weeks in potting soil without any artificial assistance.
Layering is a method of propagation where a long stem is trained to grow along the surface of soil in a container placed next to the donor plant. Where the stem touches the soil surface in the new container, it can be lightly buried. In time, the stem will send new roots into the new container. If can then be cut free of the donor plant providing you with the beginnings of a new plant.
German Thyme has a very a nice flavor and works really well in tomato sauces. I haven't found too many uses for Lemon Thyme but its fragrance is amazing and it is a hardy container plant making it perfect for growing on the balcony.
- Return to the Herbs List
- Back to Rosemary
