Botanical profile

Silver thyme

Latin name
Thymus vulgaris 'Argenteus'
Common name
Silver thyme
Type
Perennial
Family
Lamiaceae

Silver thyme is a highly ornamental perennial herb, prized for its small green leaves edged with silvery-white, which brings a lot of brightness to herb gardens, rockeries, edible borders, and patio containers. Its fragrance is reminiscent of classic thyme, with a warm, herbaceous, and slightly peppery flavor, perfect for seasoning grilled meats, poultry, fish, roasted vegetables, potatoes, sauces, soups, marinades, and stews. Its variegated foliage creates a beautiful contrast with dark green herbs, purple foliage, and full-sun plants.

Easy to cultivate, silver thyme prefers a full sun, warm, and well-ventilated location, in light, poor to moderately fertile, and very well-drained soil. It tolerates dry conditions very well once established but does not tolerate excessive water and heavy soils. Whether in pots or in the ground, regular harvesting of young stems helps maintain a compact, dense, and well-branched plant. Its low growth also allows it to be used as a border, in a rockery, or in small spaces where one wishes to add a useful and ornamental herb.

Both aromatic, bright, and easy to care for, silver thyme is ideal for gardeners looking for a flavorful plant with great decorative value. Its delicate flowers attract bees and other pollinators, adding biodiversity to sunny arrangements. It is an excellent choice for creating a gourmet, fragrant, and elegant garden, both in containers and in the ground.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Aromatic, decorative, and edible variegated silver foliage
Vegetable garden, herbs, decorative border, rock garden, container, Mediterranean cuisine
Container growing
Excellent container culture in a well-drained pot
Seasonal care
Trim lightly after flowering to maintain a dense shape; avoid waterlogged soils; harvest young shoots as needed
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Zone 5 and above
Exposure
Full sun
Watering
Moderate; allow the surface of the soil to dry out slightly between waterings
Humidity
Low to moderate humidity; prefers dry, well-drained soils
Fertilization
Light composting in spring; avoid excessive fertilizing
Soil type
Light soil, poor to average, dry and very well-drained
Soil pH
Neutral to slightly alkaline
Minimum temperature
-30°C
Propagation method
Cuttings or division
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer
Flower color
Pale pink to mauve
Foliage color
Green variegated with silver and cream
Foliage type
Semi-persistent
Shape
Compact, bushy, and low-growing
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches)
Width
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Growth rate
Slow to medium growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Rosemary, sage, lavender, oregano
Spacing
10 to 12 inches
Harvest period
Leaves from spring to autumn
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Butterflies
Plants that attract butterflies

Butterflies

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

Deer
Less attractive or generally tolerated by deer

Deer

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.