When to Plant Thyme in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
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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.
- Planting window
- Mar to May, Aug to Oct
- Days to harvest
- about 13 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun
- Spacing
- 25 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
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.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar S
- Apr T
- May ✓
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug S
- Sep S/T
- Oct T
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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How to Grow Thyme in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Well-drained, lean, sandy or gravelly soil. Does NOT want rich soil.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- 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.
- Good companions
- Tomato, Cabbage, Strawberry, Broccoli, Lavender
- Keep away from
- Basil (different water needs), Mint
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
Pests and problems for Thyme in Arid / Semi-Arid
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.
Storing and preserving thyme
How to keep it
- Drying (excellent). Hang bundles 1-2 weeks. Strip leaves. Thyme is one of the best herbs for drying, retains most flavour. Keeps: 12-18 months.
- Freezing. Freeze whole sprigs in bags. Strip leaves from frozen stems directly into cooking. Keeps: 6 months.
- Bouquet garni (freezing). Bundle thyme, parsley, and bay leaf. Tie with string. Freeze bundles individually. Drop frozen into soups and stews. Keeps: 6 months.
- Thyme-infused honey. Pack fresh thyme sprigs into warm (not hot) honey. Seal for 2 weeks. Strain. Excellent for tea, cheese, and sore throats. Keeps: 12 months.
What thyme costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
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Common 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): Apr to Jun
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to Jun, Aug to Oct
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to Apr, Aug to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to May, Aug to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to May, Aug to Nov
Can you grow thyme all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Mar to May, Aug to Oct. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Thyme in Alice Springs?
Best planted as cuttings or potted plants in autumn or spring. It thrives in dry heat and poor, well-drained soil.
What soil temperature do Thyme need?
Thyme germinate best when soil temperature is between 15°C and 25°C.
How do I know when Thyme are ready to harvest?
Harvest from established plants (3+ months). Evergreen. Best flavour just before flowering.
What are the best Thyme varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Common thyme, Lemon thyme.
What grows well with Thyme?
Good companion plants for Thyme include: Tomato, Cabbage, Strawberry, Broccoli, Lavender.
Are thyme salt tolerant?
Only a little. Thyme are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it 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.