Thyme is a tasty herb and one of the most popular across the world. Thyme has been used for thousands of years and shows no sign of losing its popularity. There are many different species across the continents and botanists have bred new cultivars, but what’s the difference between German thyme vs. English thyme? And more importantly, can you use both in holiday stuffing?
Comparing German Thyme vs. English Thyme
| German Thyme | English Thyme | |
|---|---|---|
| Growing Zone | 4 and above. Hardier in cold zones than English thyme | 4 and above |
| Foliage | Small, green, pointed | Small, green, rounded |
| Flowers | Small pink May to July | Small pink, May to July |
| Toxicity | No | No |
| Flavor | Less flavor than English thyme | Rich full flavor, best for cooking |
History of Thyme
Thyme has a long history alongside humans. Researchers have discovered that the ancient Egyptians used it in their embalming process and the ancient Greeks and Romans burned it to clear their temples of miasma.
In the Middle Ages, thyme was used in medicines to clear lungs, for headaches, and in wounds. When European settlers moved to the States, they took thyme with them for medicine and food. Coming right up to date, we currently use thyme’s essential oil thymol in cleaning products and cosmetics, and it is still being investigated for its antibacterial, microbial, and fungal properties.
So we can see thyme is not only a pretty, nice smelling herb, it’s been instrumental to human lives for thousands of years.
The Key Differences Between German Thyme and English Thyme
German thyme is hardier than English thyme but doesn’t have as strong a scent or taste.
©Emilio100/Shutterstock.com
The main differences between German thyme and English thyme is the appearance of their foliage and their tolerance of the cold. English thyme spreads outwards while German thyme grows upright. German thyme is also hardier than English thyme.
German Thyme vs. English Thyme: Names
English thyme is often called garden or common thyme and it’s usually this species people mean when they talk about the culinary thyme Thymus vulgaris. German thyme is often referred to as winter thyme because it’s better at coping with cooler weather.
German Thyme vs. English Thyme: Growing Zones
Culinary thyme grows in USDA growing zone 4 and above. It’ll cope with cool temperatures if its roots are very well drained and it gets plenty of sunlight, but generally thyme won’t survive frost-prone areas. You’ll have more luck with German thyme because it’s a touch hardier than English thyme, but it still doesn’t like having cold, wet feet!
German Thyme vs. English Thyme: Foliage
It can be difficult to tell them apart because both German vs English thymes have small green leaves on a woody stem. However, English thyme has a red stem and it’s a floppier grower. When both plants are young their foliage reaches for the sky, but as it matures, English thyme tends to spread outwards and along the ground. In contrast, German thyme stays upright.
English thyme has a more rounded leaf compared to German thyme too, and it’s usually bushier all over. German thyme’s leaves are smaller and pointer.
German Thyme vs. English Thyme: Uses
English thyme has a stronger taste and scent than German thyme
©Chris Mann/Shutterstock.com
German thyme is used for cooking, ornamental gardens, and attracting pollinators. It doesn’t have such a strong taste or scent as English thyme, but it’s hardier so a better choice in cool areas.
If you were wondering if you can use German thyme in place of culinary thyme a recipe is calls for, then yes! Perhaps use a bit more than the recipe suggests because its flavor is less intense.
How to Grow English and German Thyme
All species of thyme enjoy the same conditions, so once you’ve cracked it you can grow all species and cultivars of thyme. The most important aspect of growing thyme is good drainage. Choose a sunny spot and if the soil is heavy, dig in lots of grit. Don’t add any fertilizer because thyme loves poor soil. Fertilizer will make thyme leggy, which means lots of woody stems and few leaves to harvest.
Bear in mind if you’re in zone 9 or above, then thyme is going to need a bit of shade and spacing further apart to encourage airflow. Water thyme well until it starts to grow and then it can be left alone. Thyme is drought tolerant because it’s a Mediterranean native.
German and English thyme will also grow well in containers. They will need a bit more water because the sun and wind dry out roots from all sides in a pot. Use gritty compost and raise the pot up on feet to allow excess water out. As winter approaches, cut away new growth with a pair of garden shears and dry out the clippings for winter use.
If you’re in a frosty area consider bringing thyme indoors to survive the chill. If that’s not an option here’s how to take a thyme cutting.
How to Propagate English and German Thyme
Lucky for us, the process of propagating thyme is the same across all species.
Growing thyme from a cutting is a lengthy process. It takes one to two months to see growth, so patience is required. If you want to grow herbs quickly then try mint. Mint will only take a week to grow new roots.
Take thyme cuttings when the plant is growing any time from spring to fall because cuttings taken from a dormant plant are unlikely to grow.
- Choose a branch about four to six inches long and cut it cleanly above a leaf
- Strip off leaves from the lower half
- Place bare stems in a glass of water
- Change the water every few days
When around one to two inches of roots have emerged, put the baby thyme in a small pot of gritty compost and keep it warm. A sunny windowsill is perfect.
German Thyme vs. English Thyme: Which is Best?
Both English and German thyme are aromatic perennial herbs that attract pollinators, look good, and have a full, rich taste. English thyme is better in food because it has a stronger taste, but German thyme is better at withstanding cold temperatures without extra care. So why not grow both?
Up Next
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Emilio100/Shutterstock.com
Sources
- Science Direct, Available here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814616306392
- Royal Horticultural Society, Available here: https://www.rhs.org.uk/herbs/thyme/grow-your-own
- Plant Snap, Available here: https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/the-hist
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is thyme annual or perennial?
Some gardeners grow thyme as an annual, which means they let it die off over winter and plant new thymes in spring. You can avoid die off by bringing thyme indoors for the winter or taking some cuttings.
Do German thyme and English thyme have the same flowers?
English and German thyme have the same small pink flowers that emerge in May to July. They grow in tubular whorls and are a tasty edible garnish.
Both species of thyme attract butterflies and pollinators, in fact, all species and cultivars of thyme are excellent plants for pollinators and a particular favorite of honey bees.
Is English thyme the same as common thyme?
In short, yes. English thyme is also called common thyme and garden thyme. Usually, any English thyme for sale is Thymus vulgaris. Vulgaris doesn’t mean vulgar, it means common in Latin = common thyme. It may seem strange that a herb hailing from the Mediterranean is called English, but it’s because the Romans took it to England when they invaded in 43 A.D. It’s been there ever since.
Can you eat all varieties of thyme?
Yes, you can eat the various species of thyme and their cultivars. There are a few without much taste such as woolly thyme and creeping thyme, but they aren’t poisonous.
Is thyme toxic to pets?
Thyme isn’t toxic to dogs, cats, and horses and it’s a healthy addition to a pet’s diet, but it’s best to try pet supplements because large amounts of any plant can cause gastric problems.
What is French thyme?
French thyme is another subspecies of thyme and it’s very tasty! It’s widely used in French dishes. French thyme is less cold-hardy than English thyme, so it’s often called summer thyme. It originated in the Provence region of France and although it has red stems like English thyme, it has pointier leaves that are dull and more grey.
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