In a garden, having a good companion plant with any crop will certainly help them grow healthier and tastier. In particular, thyme is a herb with aromatic properties that will attract honey bees, which will aid in pollination. Thyme effectively helps repel crop pests such as cabbage worms, flea beetles, corn earwigs and tomato hornworms.
There are many reasons to plant thyme in your garden and it provides more benefits than you get as a pet.
Thyme is one of the best companion plants for most crops. It is very easy to plant and maintain and you can also let it protect some of your plants.
Before you go ahead and plant it with different types of crops, you need to know the best companion plant for it. The combination of a predator-attracting herb like thyme and anti-parasitic plants ensures a healthy crop.
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10 Best Companion Plants For Thyme
Thyme is considered one of the friendliest and most compatible herbs in your garden, but like any other herb, it can be compatible with some plants and not so good with some. Successfully growing a plant requires knowledge of the type of plants growing nearby. So here are some of the best companion plants for thyme†
1. Potatoes
Thyme and potatoes are not only good companions on the plate, but also in your garden. Thyme can help attract parasitic wasps which will hunt and deter potato beetles. Potatoes can also be planted in nests for chamomile and basil. This herb can help improve the flavor and growth of potatoes.
2. Shallots
They are very similar to onions and are also excellent companions for thyme. Thyme enhances the flavor of shallots and also acts as a deterrent against worms.
3. Tomatoes
Image: Envato ElementsHorned worm is the most damaging garden pest of tomatoes and thyme can help stop this pest. Tomatoes are also another crop whose flavor is enhanced when planted near thyme. To also kill white lilies and strengthen the defenses of tomatoes against them, thyme is the ideal companion plant.
4. strawberries
Strawberries are often the first plant growers to consider planting herbs. The aromatic scent of thyme helps deter marauders from feeding on the berries. Planting thyme between strawberries can also help smother weeds and provide ground cover that helps keep the soil moist.
5. Eggplant
Aromatic herbs like thyme are a great plant to grow near eggplants. Thyme is an excellent companion for this nightshade, serving as an organic deterrent for garden moths.
6. roses
If you are looking for flowers that benefit from thyme, roses are the most thoughtful choice. It was supposed to protect roses from aphids and black flies, but planting thyme acts as a pesticide against these pests.
7. Burnet Salad
Salad chickweed is an attractive perennial grown for its medicinal uses and edible leaves, and planting it near thyme allows it to thrive. It also has astringent functions, it perfumes the garden and if you plant it with thyme it gives it a pleasant fragrance.
8. Blueberries
If you planted blueberries in your garden, you planted thyme as a companion plant to attract bees for pollination. Thyme tolerates moderately acidic soils, while blueberries require higher acidity, but thyme is a hardy and useful herb for growing around berries.
Image: Envato Elements9. Cabbage
Crops in the cabbage family such as rutabagas, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli are excellent plants for thyme. These plants can easily attract pests such as cabbage maggot, aphids, cabbage moth, cabbage binders, and flea beetles. Yet, thyme acts as an effective remedy against all these pests.
10. Lavender
Lavender is another plant that is often considered a companion plant to most Mediterranean herbs, as they share similar growing requirements. Thyme is a small creeping plant that grows very well when planted near lavender.
Plants not to grow near thyme
Growing thyme with companion plants is especially beneficial for other plants. Thyme is an easy crop to grow and, like other herbs, works well with many garden plants to boost yields and strengthen defenses. However, here are some plants that should not be planted directly with thyme.
1. Chives
Chives like moist soil, not too dry or sandy, but cannot be planted directly with thyme, which likes it more sandy and dry, but requires little maintenance.
2. basil
Image: Envato ElementsBasil is one of the herbs that prefers the company of vegetables to other herbs, so it should be kept away from thyme.
3. Cilantro
Cilantro is a great companion for many crops because it attracts beneficial insects, but you may need to keep it away from your thyme. Cilantro likes slightly moist soil, so don’t plant thyme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rosemary the same as thyme?
They both belong to the same mint family, but they are two different herbs. Rosemary has longer leaves than thyme and a bitter taste, but is often used for the same purpose.
Does thyme overwinter?
Yes, thyme is a plant considered semi-evergreen, it retains part of its foliage during the winter, but not all of it. The key to overwintering it is good drainage and winter mulch.
Is lemon thyme annual or perennial?
Lemon thyme is an easy-to-grow perennial that does all the work on its own. These highly aromatic herbs do well in moderately sunny gardens.
Where to plant thyme?
Thyme is best planted with other drought-tolerant perennials and grows best in full sun. Plant thyme in soil with excellent drainage.
Is thyme a houseplant?
You can certainly plant thyme indoors, but keep in mind that it requires plenty of sun and well-drained soil.
Do parsley and thyme go together?
Parsley goes well with thyme and other herbs like basil, rosemary, sage, cilantro, dill and oregano.
How cold can thyme tolerate?
Thyme can be a hardy plant, but it prefers a mild climate and can survive freezing temperatures. Tolerates cold better in well-drained soils.
final thoughts
Thyme is excellent and not only enhances the flavor of foods, but also enhances the flavor of the herbs that accompany them. It can thrive alongside many plants in the garden, but it’s essential that you know which is the most beneficial to plant with.
Companion planting isn’t rocket science, but it’s been around for a while to help farmers grow healthier, tastier crops. So take advantage of the table of thyme companion plants above to help you reap multiple benefits.