Orange Balsam Thyme

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Orange Balsam Thyme to a garden.

Sunlit citrus notes rise first—Orange Balsam Thyme carries a warm, orange-gold fragrance with a softly resinous, thyme-bright finish.

The foliage forms tight, low mounds of tiny, oval leaves that feel pleasantly crisp and aromatic, with a delicate, honeyed character that lingers in the garden air. Grow Orange Balsam Thyme for its bold scent and pollinator-friendly blooms, ideal for fresh sprigs and for infusing flavor into everyday herb blends.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Orange Balsam Thyme

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Orange Balsam Thyme Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 6th	Sep 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jun 26th	Sep 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jun 26th	Sep 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jun 30th	Sep 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jun 26th	Sep 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jun 24th	Sep 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jun 19th	Sep 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 15th	Aug 29th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 12th	Aug 26th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 6th	Aug 20th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 1st	Aug 15th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	May 22nd	Aug 5th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 13th	Jul 27th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 4th	Jul 18th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Apr 17th	Jul 1st – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Orange Balsam Thyme tastes like thyme with a sunlit, orange-gold top note—best when you bruise the leaves right before using so the citrus aromatics stay loud. Go gently with long cooking; it’s resinous in the best way for roasts and infusions, but you don’t want it to turn flat and bitter.

Best Uses

quick bruise-and-release finishing on roast chicken and pork
infuse olive oil or honey for drizzles and vinaigrettes
tuck into herb crusts and compound butters for a bright, fragrant lift
steep briefly in warm dairy or syrup for scented desserts and panna cotta

Flavor Profile

citrus-forward orange aromatics softly resinous thyme bite crisp, leaf-herb snap with a honeyed finish

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil honey lemon zest garlic roasted chicken pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease problem for Thymus vulgaris (Orange Balsam Thyme), and how do I stop it?

The most common issue is root rot from consistently wet soil, which often shows up as wilting and browning at the base. Water only when the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil feels dry, and make sure your pot/bed drains freely with gritty, well-drained soil. If you catch it early, reduce watering immediately and improve drainage (for containers, use a potting mix with extra perlite or grit); heavily affected plants may need removal to prevent spread.

How often should I water Orange Balsam Thyme during active growth?

During the main growing season, water deeply but infrequently: typically every 7–10 days in average conditions, and more like every 3–6 days during hot, dry spells. Aim for evenly moist soil only until plants establish, then shift to letting the top layer dry between waterings—Thymus vulgaris prefers dry-to-moderately-dry conditions. Avoid frequent misting or shallow watering that keeps the root zone damp.

How can I tell when Orange Balsam Thyme is ready to harvest (Thymus vulgaris, ~75 days)?

Harvest when plants are well-established and have lots of fragrant growth—about 75 days from sowing for best results, or once stems are at least 4–6 in (10–15 cm) long. Pick in the morning before heat, snipping young, non-woody tips; you’ll know they’re ready when the leaves are fully formed and strongly aromatic when rubbed. For the best flavor, don’t strip more than about one-third of the plant at a time—then let it regrow.