When to Plant Thyme in Cairns, Tropical Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Cairns), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Tropical
In October the Tropical zone normally runs 34°C by day and 23°C overnight, with about 53 mm of rain over 5 or 6 wet days. Averages 1991 to 2026, 37 postcodes, SILO.
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This Thyme guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Apr to Jun
- 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 Tropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr S
- May S/T
- Jun T
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
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How to Grow Thyme in Tropical 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
Tropical Growing Tips for Thyme
Recommended Varieties
- Common thyme (marginal zone)
Key Challenges
- Humidity kills thyme
- Root rot
- Poor drainage
Pro Tips
- Terracotta pot with very gritty mix
- Under cover during wet season
- Not well-suited, manage expectations
Pests and problems for Thyme in Tropical
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
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- 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 Cairns?
No. In the Tropical zone the planting months are Apr to Jun. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Thyme in Cairns?
Start early in the dry, or buy a potted plant, and grow in a pot with sharp drainage. Plants often fade in wet-season humidity.
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 Cairns?
Recommended varieties for the Tropical zone include: Common thyme (marginal zone).
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 Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.