Crop details

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Family: Lamiaceae

Quick stats

Family	Lamiaceae
Typical harvest	6.0 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	4
Seasons	3

Crop profile

Growth habit	perennial
Days to harvest	120
Main uses	Fresh and dried leaves for seasoning, herbal teas and essential oils.
Pollination	insect
Origin / where it grows	Mediterranean origin; thrives in sunny, well-drained sites in temperate to warm regions.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	15–28 °C
Rainfall	500–900 mm/yr
Altitude	0–2300 m
Best pH	6–7.5
Soil type	Light, well-drained sandy loams or stony soils; tolerates relatively poor, low-N soils.
Row spacing	40 cm
Plant spacing	30 cm
Planting depth	1 cm
Seed rate	2 kg/ha
Nursery days	35

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop is perennial, which means once you plant it, the same plant can keep producing for many years. You can normally start harvesting about 120 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for fresh and dried leaves for seasoning, herbal teas and essential oils..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Mediterranean origin; thrives in sunny, well-drained sites in temperate to warm regions. It is grouped under: Spices & Condiments.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 15 and 28 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 500 to 900 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2300 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 7.5. It does well in light, well-drained sandy loams or stony soils; tolerates relatively poor, low-n soils.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 40 centimetres apart, and leave about 30 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 1 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 2 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.

Nursery period: If you raise seedlings in a nursery, keep them there for about 35 days before transplanting to the main field, when they are strong and healthy.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Sow seeds in a fine nursery or trays and transplant when 5–8 cm tall, or plant rooted cuttings/splits directly into prepared beds.

Transplanting: Transplant in cool hours, water immediately and mulch lightly around plants.

Irrigation: Keep moist (not wet) during establishment. Once established, water moderately and allow topsoil to dry between irrigations.

Fertigation: Under drip, use light, infrequent feeds; thyme prefers moderate fertility to maintain aroma and oil quality.

Pest scouting: Scout for root rots, leaf spots, aphids and spider mites on hot, dry sites; remove badly affected plants and improve airflow.

Pruning: Harvest as light pruning. Avoid cutting into very old woody stems; aim to keep plants low and bushy.

Harvest: First harvest 3–4 months after transplanting when plants are well branched. Cut 8–10 cm above ground, leaving enough foliage for regrowth.

Postharvest: Harvest in cool hours, avoid bruising. For drying, use shade or low-temperature drying to keep green colour and strong aroma.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at planting	0	NPK 17-17-17 + compost	50 kg/ha (plus 2–4 t/ha compost)	N: 8, P₂O₅: 8, K₂O: 8	Apply in bands along rows and mix lightly with topsoil before transplanting.
2	Establishment topdress	35	CAN 26% N	40 kg/ha	N: 10, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Side-dress on moist soil away from stems, then water lightly.
3	Post-cut regrowth feed	80	NPK 20-10-10 or similar	40 kg/ha after main cut	N: 8, P₂O₅: 4, K₂O: 4	Apply after first major harvest to support regrowth; avoid over-fertilising to preserve flavour.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	20	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	20	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	25	kg/ha
N	Establishment	15	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Establishment	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Establishment	15	kg/ha
N	After_cut	10	kg/ha
P₂O₅	After_cut	0	kg/ha
K₂O	After_cut	15	kg/ha

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Common garden thyme	KE	110	Good aroma, multipurpose use for fresh and dried herb.
High-oil thyme selection	TZ	120	Higher essential oil content, preferred for drying and extraction.
Local thyme type	UG	115	Adapted local landrace for homestead use and small-scale market sales.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK 17-17-17 + compost	50	Apply with 2–4 t/ha compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Establishment	CAN 26% N	40	4–6 weeks after transplanting when plants are actively growing.
After cut	NPK 20-10-10	40	After main harvest in intensively managed thyme stands.

Name	Type	Symptoms	Management
Root and crown rot	disease	Plants suddenly wilt, yellow and die back; roots and crown show brown, rotted tissues.	Use well-drained soils, avoid waterlogging and over-irrigation, remove affected plants and improve drainage.
Leaf spot / blight	disease	Small dark spots or patches on leaves, sometimes coalescing and causing dieback.	Improve airflow, avoid overhead watering late in the day, remove heavily affected shoots.
Aphids	pest	Clusters on tender tips, curled leaves, presence of honeydew and sooty mould.	Encourage natural enemies, prune heavily infested tips, avoid excess nitrogen.
Spider mites	pest	Fine webbing, stippled and yellowing leaves in hot, dry conditions.	Maintain some humidity, avoid dusty stressed plants, remove badly infested leaves or plants.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Low-input smallholder (fresh herb)	3	2	4	Wide spacing, minimal fertilizer, 2–3 cuttings per year after establishment.
Managed beds with irrigation	6	4	8	Moderate fertilization, weed control and 3–4 cuttings per year.
Intensive herb production	9	6	12	Dense plantings, drip irrigation and frequent harvests for fresh and dried herb markets.

Country	Region	Planting	Harvest
KE	Highlands and well-drained mid-altitudes	At onset of long or short rains, or any frost-free period with irrigation.	First harvest 3–4 months after transplanting; repeated cuts through warm, dry periods.
TZ	Northern and southern highlands; cooler irrigated areas	Start of main rains or under irrigation when soils are workable and not waterlogged.	Multiple cuttings across the year once plants are established.
UG	Moist, well-drained mid-altitude zones	At onset of reliable rains on light, well-drained soils.	Regular cuttings for several seasons while plants remain vigorous.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Central & Rift highlands; dry, well-drained slopes	High
TZ	Northern and southern highlands; cooler irrigated pockets	High
UG	Mid-altitude belts with good drainage and mild conditions	High