Thyme De Provence

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Thyme De Provence to a garden.

Breathe in the silvery-green foliage of Thyme De Provence and you’ll find it immediately—an aromatic, Provençal perfume with a bright, savory lift and a gentle, piney warmth.

At maturity, the small, tightly clustered leaves form a dense, velvety mat that’s wonderfully resilient, holding its character through the season. Grow it for fragrant bouquets and herb-forward flavoring in roasts, sauces, and marinades, or for drying and infusing—this is the thyme gardeners reach for when they want depth with a clean, herbal finish.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Thyme De Provence

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

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
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

Thyme De Provence is the thyme you reach for when you want that Provençal, silvery-leaf aroma—sharp on the first hit, then warming and woody in the back of the mouth. Its small, dense leaves keep their character through roasting and reductions, so you don’t end up with a washed-out, one-note herb.

Best Uses

strip leaves and fold into slow-cooked braises for a steady, non-floral savory lift
use as the main herb in roast-chicken or roasted lamb rubs (it holds up under high heat)
add to reduced pan sauces and vinaigrettes for a fragrant, cutting edge
dry and crumble into bread stuffings and bean dishes for a woody, long-lasting herbal note

Flavor Profile

bright savory thyme perfume piney, slightly resinous warmth small-leaf intensity that stays aromatic when cooked dry, woody herb bite with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil roasted chicken lamb white beans

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage a common thyme problem like powdery mildew (Thymus vulgaris)?

Powdery mildew often shows up as a white, dusty coating on thyme leaves, especially in humid, crowded growth. Keep plants spaced for airflow and water at the soil line so foliage stays dry; remove and discard heavily affected stems to prevent spread. If it keeps recurring, spray with horticultural-grade potassium bicarbonate or neem (follow label directions) and repeat as directed until new growth is clear.

How often should I water Thyme vulgaris during the main growing phase?

During active growth (roughly spring through early summer), water deeply only when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) prefers dry-to-average moisture and will decline with persistent damp soil, so avoid daily misting and do not keep the root zone constantly wet. In-ground plants usually need less once established; in containers, check more often because they dry faster.

When is Thyme de Provence ready to harvest?

Harvest once plants are well established and reach about 6–8 inches tall, then start selective snipping of tips. For best flavor, the first main harvest is typically around 90 days after sowing (or in-season once the plants are mature) and before or at the start of flowering, when oils are highest. Snip stems above woody portions and leave enough growth on the plant to regrow for later cuttings.