When to Plant Thyme in Perth, Mediterranean Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Perth), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Mediterranean
In October the Mediterranean zone normally runs 22°C by day and 10°C overnight, with about 38 mm of rain over 6 or 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 19 postcodes, SILO.
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This Thyme guide is written for the Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Mar to May, Aug to Nov
- 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 Mediterranean
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar ✓
- Apr ✓
- May ✓
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug S
- Sep S/T/D
- Oct S/T/D
- Nov T
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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How to Grow Thyme in Mediterranean 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
Mediterranean Growing Tips for Thyme
Recommended Varieties
- Common thyme
- Lemon thyme
- Silver thyme
- Creeping thyme
Key Challenges
- None significant
Pro Tips
- Perfect zone, native climate
- Plant between pavers, along paths, in rockeries
- Lives many years
Pests and problems for Thyme in Mediterranean
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
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
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 Perth?
No. In the Mediterranean zone the planting months are Mar to May, Aug to Nov. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Thyme in Perth?
A woody perennial usually planted as potted plants or cuttings. Autumn planting establishes best in Perth's sandy soils.
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 Perth?
Recommended varieties for the Mediterranean zone include: Common thyme, Lemon thyme, Silver thyme, Creeping 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 Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.