When to Plant Thyme in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Sow May to July. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is May.
Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
This Thyme guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Low-growing Mediterranean perennial subshrub with tiny aromatic leaves. Common/garden thyme (T. vulgaris) is the culinary standard; lemon thyme (T. x citriodorus) adds citrus notes. Extremely drought-tolerant, hates wet feet, and needs excellent drainage. Identical requirements to rosemary. Forms a low mat 15-30cm tall. Long-lived if drainage is right.
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | S | S/D | T | - | - | - | - | - |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 15–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Thyme in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
When to Plant
Plant Mar-May and Aug-Oct.
- Soil
- Well-drained, lean, sandy or gravelly soil. Does NOT want rich soil.
- pH Range
- 6.0-8.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun. Maximum sun = maximum essential oil = maximum flavour.
- Spacing
- 25cm apart, 30cm between rows
- Watering
- Minimal once established. Water young plants until rooted. Overwatering is the primary killer.
Companion plants: Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, Cabbage, Strawberry, Tomato
Avoid planting near: Mint, Basil (different water needs)
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Thyme
Recommended Varieties
- Common thyme
- Lemon thyme
Key Challenges
- Extreme heat
- Spider mites
Pro Tips
- Excellent zone, dry conditions perfect
- Minimal water once established
- Best flavour from hot dry conditions
Harvesting Thyme
When ready: Harvest from established plants (3+ months). Evergreen. Best flavour just before flowering.
How to harvest: Snip stem tips. Never cut into old woody growth, it won't regenerate. Always cut above green leafy growth.
Where to next
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Open the planting dashboard Join Garden BuddyCommon Questions About Thyme
When do you plant thyme in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jun to Aug
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jul to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Aug to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Aug to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): May to Jul
- Mediterranean (Perth): Aug to Nov
Does thyme grow all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are May to Jul. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.