Silver Queen Thyme

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Fragrant, silvery foliage drifts with a cool, herbal perfume—Silver Queen Thyme forms a dense, low cushion of leaves that feel finely textured and richly aromatic at every touch.

The flavor is bright and savory with a gentle, mint-kissed lift, ideal for fresh sprigs and dried bundles alike. Grow it for its ornamental silver cast as well as its dependable culinary presence in roasts, sauces, and quick infusions.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Silver Queen Thyme

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Silver Queen 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	May 18th	Jul 27th	Sep 25th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	May 4th	Jul 13th	Sep 11th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	Jul 6th	Sep 4th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	Jun 30th	Aug 29th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	Jun 24th	Aug 23rd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	Jun 19th	Aug 18th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Jun 12th	Aug 11th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Jun 6th	Aug 5th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	May 22nd	Jul 21st – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	May 13th	Jul 12th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Apr 17th	Jun 16th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Silver Queen thyme’s silvery, dense foliage gives a sharper, cooler herbal perfume than many common types, so it comes through cleanly even when you only steep it briefly. Use it early in cooking for savory backbone, then finish with a light hand so that mint-kissed lift doesn’t get buried by heavier flavors.

Best Uses

quick infusions for soups and braises (steep then remove)
drying and rubbing into roast herb blends
fast sautéing of mushrooms/greens where thyme needs to stay crisp-austere
finishing compound butter or oil for lamb and chicken

Flavor Profile

bright savory thyme flavor cool mint-kissed lift finely herbal, almost menthol-leaning aroma tough enough to stand up to heat

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil lamb mushrooms black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Thymus vulgaris (English thyme), and what’s the best home fix?

Thymus vulgaris is especially prone to root rot and stem dieback when soil stays damp—often showing as blackened stems at the base and wilting despite watering. Water only when the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil is dry, keep plants in full sun, and improve drainage with gritty soil or raised beds. If you see browned stems, remove affected shoots and avoid overhead watering; in severe cases, replant in fresh, drier soil to break the disease cycle.

How often should I water Silver Queen thyme during peak growth, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During the main growing phase, water deeply only when the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil has dried out. Aim for consistently “dry to lightly moist” soil—thyme prefers a near-drought cycle and will sulk or rot in persistently wet ground. In containers, check moisture more often and use a fast-draining potting mix so excess water never sits in the bottom saucer.

When is Silver Queen thyme ready to harvest, and what signs should I look for?

Harvest when plants reach about 60 days from sowing and have formed vigorous growth with many healthy leaves along the stems. For best flavor, take sprigs just before the plant flowers (or immediately as buds begin to form), and snip no more than one-third of the total growth at a time to keep the plant productive. After harvest, pinch back lightly if needed so new shoots fill in before the next growth wave.