The herb thyme has a wonderful smell and adds a lot of flavor to food. Thyme is also fun to grow because it has pretty flowers and is hardy. But many gardeners are confused about how many thyme seeds to plant in a pot when starting thyme from seeds. It’s important to use the right seeding rates to get the right number of seedlings without making the pots too crowded. This article will talk about how many thyme seeds you should plant to get the best results.
Why Seeding Rate Matters for Thyme
You may be wondering if all those details about thyme seeds per pot really make a difference. Can’t you just sprinkle a bunch of seeds and see what happens? While that approach can work, being more precise with your seeding rate improves your odds of growing strong seedlings. Here’s why it matters:
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It prevents overcrowding. Too many seeds lead to crowded, spindly seedlings competing for resources.
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You can maximize germination rates by sowing the optimal number of seeds.
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Thinning is easier when seedlings are evenly spaced at the proper density.
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Resources like light water and nutrients are better utilized for healthy growth.
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Uniform seedlings are easier to transplant with less root disturbance.
Recommended Seeding Rates for Thyme
How many thyme seeds should you put in each pot or cell to begin with? Here are the best ways to do it:
Seeds Per Pellet
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Sow 2-3 seeds per pellet. This allows for some germination failure but avoids overplanting.
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Planting more than 3 seeds per pellet risks overcrowding.
Seeds Per Cell
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For small compartments like cells in a seedling tray, plant 3-4 seeds.
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Large compartments, like individual pots, can accommodate 4-6 seeds each.
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As a general rule, sow seeds spaced 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch apart in the soil.
Seeds Per Tray
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Use seed trays with at least 32 cells for optimal thyme germination rates.
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A standard 10×20 inch tray can hold 200-300 thyme seeds total.
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Larger compartments and pots will require fewer total seeds to fill available space.
Tips for Thyme Seeding Success
Now that we know how many seeds to sow, let’s look at some useful techniques for starting thyme right:
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Use fresh seeds each season for best germination rates. Stored thyme seeds lose viability over time.
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Prior to planting, soak seeds in lukewarm water overnight to promote germination.
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Plant seeds about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep in wet seed starting mix. Cover lightly with soil.
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Maintain a soil temperature of 65-70°F for ideal thyme germination.
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Place seed trays in bright indirect light immediately after planting.
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Keep the soil moist but not saturated until seedlings emerge in 10-21 days.
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Prepare to thin overcrowded cells to the optimal 1-2 seedlings per cell or pot.
Providing the Best Growing Conditions
In addition to proper seeding techniques, creating the right conditions gives thyme the best chance to grow:
Light: Thyme needs at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight or 12 to 16 hours of grow lights every day.
Temperature: Daytime temperatures of 60-75°F are ideal. Cooler at night.
Water: Water thoroughly after seeding, then allow the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Air Circulation: Gentle airflow prevents disease and keeps humidity levels in check.
Fertilizer: Apply half strength liquid fertilizer once true leaves emerge.
Avoiding Common Problems with Thyme Seeds
While thyme is not difficult to start from seed with the right techniques, there are some potential pitfalls to be aware of:
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Old Seeds: Thyme seeds over 3 years old may fail to germinate. Always start with fresh seeds each season.
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Improper Depth: Seeds sown too deep take longer to emerge and are prone to rotting. Sow just 1⁄4 inch deep.
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Overcrowding: Too many seeds leads to weak, spindly seedlings. Sow seeds 2-3 per cell, 4-6 per pot.
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Underwatering: Thyme seeds and seedlings are prone to drying out. Maintain consistent moisture in the top 1⁄2 inch of soil.
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Damping Off Disease: Overwatering encourages fungal disease. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Caring for Thyme After Germination
Once your thyme sprouts, a little attentive care goes a long way:
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Thin overcrowded cells to 1-2 uniform seedlings per cell. Snip extra stems at soil level.
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Transplant thyme outdoors after frosts pass, spacing 12-15 inches apart in well-draining soil.
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Pinch off flower buds during the first year to promote leafy growth. Harvest lightly in year one.
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Water thyme 1 inch per week until established. Mature thyme is quite drought tolerant.
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Apply organic mulch like wood chips around thyme to retain moisture and discourage weeds.
By following the seeding rate guidelines and providing attentive care, your thyme will be ready to impart its wonderful flavor to your favorite recipes in no time!
When to Prune Thyme
- After winter dormancy
- Throughout season as needed
- Late summer in regions with warm winters
Because thyme grows so rapidly and weed-like, there is almost never a bad reason to prune thyme.
Thyme should be pruned as needed throughout the growing season, no matter what hardiness zone it is in. This way, the plant will be able to adapt to its growing space without becoming too big for the garden.
People who grow plants in colder, northern areas usually cut back their perennial herbs in the spring after a long, cold winter and as needed during the season.
If growing in a climate with routinely freezing winters, be sure not to prune thyme plants past late summer so they have a chance to develop additional growth and woodiness to best defend against winter frost.
Hot to Care for Thyme Plants in Pots
- Naturally thrives in pots
- Overwatering is the greatest threat
- Try terra cotta pots for best drainage
Before transplanting thyme seedlings to a pot or container, prepare the soil with equal parts sand, perlite, and even a light composting in addition to standard potting or gardening soil.
The sand and perlite provide improved drainage while the compost, not only assisting with drainage, also amends the soil to best help bring the thyme seedlings to maturity.
Thyme generally shouldnât require much fertilizing other than some composting or worm castings when first transplanted.
Even though semi-arid plants do better in pots and containers, especially terracotta ones, these plants can still get too much water because an inexperienced grower will likely keep the soil wet and saturated out of fear of drying out their herbs as they grow.
Culinary thyme is popularly grown indoors as a fragrant seasonal windowsill herb while many ornamental varieties are tended to as perennials brought in to overwinter at the end of each season. Thyme plants actually thrive indoors because of the well-drained pots and containers theyâre grown in are ideally suited for a drier and sandy soil preference.
As mentioned, thyme seeds are generally best if germinated indoors about 8-10 weeks prior to the final spring frost, but should still be supplemented with plenty of sunlight once true leaves begin to emerge.
Just like outside, thyme grown indoors requires a minimum 6 hours of sunlight each day, although as much as possible is always preferred. Thyme prefers an average indoor temperature of about 60°F and loose, dry, and well-drained potting soil, only watering when the soil completely dries.
Proper and regular pruning is one of the most guaranteed ways to help your thyme plant realize its full 5-6 year potential. Thyme is a low-growing and quickly spreading herb widely known to be invasive but, with regular pruning, is easily tamed in any garden bed or patio planter.
Pruning thyme is really no different or more challenging than harvesting thyme, as each stimulates the plant to produce abundant vegetative growth. If growing thyme exclusively for culinary purposes, then routine pruning will keep your stems flavorful, fragrant, and tender as opposed to them developing woody, less herbal notes from unpruned plants.
All 350+ varieties from genus Thymus are pruned very similarly to other perennial herbs such as rosemary and sage and any experience with pruning just one herb should give you more than enough confidence to try thinning out your own homegrown thyme.
The Secret ️ to Starting Thyme Seeds (Higher Germination Rate!)
FAQ
How many seeds should I put in one pot?
Generally, you should plant two or three seeds per pot or cell when starting seeds indoors. This helps to ensure you have at least one healthy seedling, even if some seeds don’t germinate or seedlings don’t thrive.
Does thyme like to be crowded?
Space thyme plants 12 to 24 inches apart in a very sunny area with fertile, well-drained soil with a pH close to 7. 0.
How many herb seeds should I plant in a pot?
Plant at least five seeds. – Also, known as a pinch, of one herb variety per container or cell and lightly cover it with moist mix. May 5, 2020.
How do you grow Thyme Seeds?
Light: Thyme seeds need light to germinate, which is why they are sown on the surface of the soil and not covered. Placing the pots in a well-lit area, but out of direct sunlight, provides the seeds with the necessary light without the risk of overheating or drying out too quickly. Moisture: Consistent moisture is crucial for germination.
How many Thyme Seeds can you plant in a pot?
When sowing thyme seeds, timing is key as it is a plant that does best in cool temperatures. For indoor gardening, it’s also important to pick the right-sized pot. A six-inch pot should be enough for one or two plants.
How big should a thyme plant be?
As a general rule of thumb, you should upsize 5 – 10 cm (2 – 4 inches) in diameter. This will allow extra room for growth as the thyme matures. The plant will be better off if you change the size of the pot as it grows, instead of planting it in a large pot right away.
When should Thyme Seeds be planted?
Thyme seeds are best started indoors 8-10 weeks prior to the final spring frost. Plant 2-3 seeds deep per cell or about 5-6 seeds per square inch as a light seeding, eventually thinning out the strongest starts once true leaves emerge. How to plant thyme seeds in a pot?.
Can you grow Thyme in a pot?
Here’s how. Thyme might sound fancy, but it’s an easy-to-grow, hardy herb and does very well in pots and container gardens. Grow thyme in a pot on your deck along with basil and oregano for your own little pizza garden. The little leaves smell great and go well with other herbs on the deck or in the kitchen.
How far apart should Thyme Seeds be planted?
As a general rule, sow seeds spaced 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch apart in the soil. Use seed trays with at least 32 cells for optimal thyme germination rates. A standard 10×20 inch tray can hold 200-300 thyme seeds total. Larger compartments and pots will require fewer total seeds to fill available space.