This variety has soft, woolly gray-green leaves that turn purple in winter. Similar to other herbs, creeping thyme doesn’t require a nutrient-dense soil. This is a low, creeping species with fuzzy grey-green foliage, occasionally producing soft-pink flowers. Woody stems can be very hard or impossible to propagate. Be the first to review this product. Gritty, poor soils that discourage other plants are perfect for thyme. Wooly thyme prefers USDA zones 6 to 8. Thyme is an ancient herb used in cooking and gardening. plant will not be able to maintain itself once it has fully rooted. In fact, you may find it very hard to propagate the cuttings of certain varieties of thyme without a rooting hormone. So, besides sealing the containers, you should also monitor the moisture levels of the soil and the closed environment of your cuttings. Plant in the garden the following spring. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, gardening gloves image by Sandi Chetwynd from, Iowa State Universityty: Growing and Using Thyme. First of all, you need to make your cuttings eligible for rooting. For walkways across the lawn use stepping stones to avoid wearing a path through the plants. Thanks to Cottage_Rose for sharing her wonderful photos of 'Elfin' thyme and 'Woolly' thyme and to Grampapa for sharing the beautiful image of her miniature rose underplanted with thyme. Another ornamental variety prized for rock gardens. You can find it here on Amazon. Cuttings are naturally prone to rotting, and “wet” mediums can make this far more likely. Creeping Woolly Thyme Thymus pseudolanuginosus, also referred to as Wooly (sometimes spelled Woolly) thyme is the most beautiful pale blue green colour. A strong grower, ideal as a drought-tolerant lawn substitute or for planting between flagstones, tolerating moderate foot traffic. Look at the thyme and find a stem node where leaves attach. Taking the right thyme cuttings might be one of the most Since propagating any herb from seeds isn’t always the best idea, stem cuttings are widely used instead to cultivate thyme efficiently. Replant the “parent” thyme plant in its original spot the same way. That height range usually indicates that your cuttings are able to support the rooting process and transport nutrients efficiently. Start new plants from cuttings to create large quantities of plants. Thyme as ground cover plant. In fact, you may find it very hard to propagate the cuttings of certain varieties of thyme without a rooting hormone. Cover the pot with a plastic sandwich bag and secure it with a rubber band. It’s time for you to introduce your cuttings to their growing medium. If you feel things are becoming dry, moisten the mix immediately. Learn More About This! There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. To do so, remove the mother plant from its pot, teasing apart the root ball and stems until you form two or more smaller plants. is still too young, it might not be able to root or survive after rooting. Thyme lawns tolerate some foot traffic but are not suitable for a kids' play area. Now that you have your stem cuttings, it’s time to turn All Rights Reserved. Soon, you'll be convinced that every gardener needs more thyme. Take as many cuttings as you want, but make sure not to destabilize the plant. Here's how you do it: Take a cutting from a stem during the late spring or early summer when the plant is thriving. Propagate new plants from roots too, to generate still more new plants. Woolly thyme is vulnerable to root rot, but grows well in rock gardens and on dry slopes. In any case, your cuttings should never be exposed to This variety is a creeper, prized for rock gardens and in between pavers. That’s a good place to take a cutting from. That’s why you need to be This photo shows the lemon thyme in contrast to common thyme. with an increase in pests and diseases. Evergreen. Also known as mother-of-thyme, it grows in low mounds or clumps. The reason is that thyme is a slow-growing plant. Fill window box half full with clean, coarse sand. The best varieties for use in a thyme lawn are 'Pink Chintz', 'Reiter', 'Woolly', 'Coccineum', T. praecox ss. For this reason, you can sometimes find it in the crevasse of a rock wall. All you need to do is allow your cuttings to breathe for a few hours each day by uncovering the containers and letting them sit in a well-ventilated place. One of the most important aspects of thyme gardening is its propagation. Choose a variety or two to propagate and plant out. growing thyme, and today you can easily grow this plant at home with all the Planning your landscape is like painting a … Late spring and early summer are the best times to start thyme cuttings. prepared mix up to the rim just after you moisten it with some water. Since our cuttings are sealed with plastic bags, that Experience has shown that adding perlite or sand to the soil helps thyme root faster. Propagate new plants from roots too, to generate still more new plants. Prepare some small pots with a moistened growing medium. This patch can be as small as one stem with a few roots attached and is referred to as a slip. Creeping thyme (Thyme praecox) has smooth instead of hairy stems and makes a nice flowering ground cover.. Wild thyme (Thyme pulegioides) is a fragrant ground cover or rock garden plant with flowers … This variety has soft, woolly gray-green leaves that turn purple in winter. Some root cuttings produce green shoots that form roots of their own, while others produce roots first and send up shoots of a new plant. Thymus lanuginosus, or woolly thyme, and sedum anglicum surround the flagstones leading into my backyard; they help keep the slight slope from eroding, require little water, and look spectacular, especially when their little flowers bloom. The stems should have plenty of new green … You also don’t want to take your cuttings from a plant that has fully grown its flowering buds because it wouldn’t support rooting properly. thyme from cuttings requires attention and a bit of effort on your part. Lux for Plants: Everything You Need to Know! Rinse it in cold water and use it fresh, or dry the thyme for later use. This variety has soft, woolly gray-green leaves that turn purple in… It has the scent of caraway and grows pale pink flowers. Bad air circulation is associated Dip each stem in rooting hormone, to a depth covering about one-third of the stem, then place each cutting in sand to that same depth. I am knowledgeable in plant biology, particularly in plant cultivation and propagation. The first time I tried to propagate thyme from cuttings I failed badly because I took stems that were too young. arcticus 'Coccineus' and Nailwort (Paronychia). The tubular flowers of woolly thyme attract bees, and honey from bees that have dined on thyme is a delicacy. Compost For Herbs: Say Goodbye to Garden Chemicals! Remove the leaves from the bottom third of the stem. How to Grow Thyme. To start from cuttings, you’ll need an established thyme plant of the variety you want to grow. Woolly thyme Propagating Thyme. Keep the pot in a warm, shaded area and keep slightly damp. In fact, choosing soil for thyme is very simple, and in this article, I’m going to walk you through all you need to know about this topic. Woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is a sturdy, low-growing perennial groundcover that does well in full sun and well-drained soils. holes in the soil that are a bit wider than each one of the cuttings. Be sure to use the clippings for cooking, potpourri or in the bath. Apr 25, 2014 - Woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is a sturdy, low-growing perennial groundcover that does well in full sun and well-drained soils. Gently break off root plugs of 1 to 2 inches across, using just your hands or your hands and trowel, and immediately plant these, covering with soil and watering well to soak the roots. tolerated. Remove the lower leaves, keeping the node intact. Dig additional small holes, about 2 inches deep, between the flagstones where you will place individual plants. In any case, it’s preferable that you don’t cut more than ⅓ or ½ of the total number of the plant’s stems. I'm Jad, a biologist, blogger, and experienced indoor gardener. Your thyme cuttings should be established and mature stems, They should be soft, green, and preferably have no flowering buds. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Maybe this is explained by the fact that thyme naturally grows in dry areas where the soil lacks moisture. very careful not to keep the plants in a dry atmosphere. Learning how to grow woolly thyme successfully and how to properly care for woolly thyme will include clipping and trimming. Fill the medium-sized containers or pots with the trap the moisture around your cuttings. The aroma, taste, and benefits of this plant justify its global popularity. Spacing varies among plants, but for the most popular, such as Woolly thyme, Pink Chintz thyme and Blue Star creeper, 6 inches between plants is standard. Caraway thyme; Another low growing variety. Here are 4 of the most common thyme varieties. 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