Thyme Companion Planting: Thyme is worth growing only for its culinary value, but it also does well in the garden. Thyme’s low-growing habit, tiny blooms, and powerful perfume make it an excellent companion plant for controlling pests and enhancing yields in various herbs and vegetables. According to research, it may even be useful in reducing the spread of fungal infections in the soil.
Thyme does not need to be confined to a pot or planted solely alongside other Mediterranean herbs, but it will thrive in both situations. This tutorial will go over the several advantages when utilizing thyme as a companion plant, which plants grow well together with thyme, as well as how to plant thyme with those companions to help them all thrive strongly throughout the summer.
THYME COMPANION PLANTING BENEFITS
Thyme’s scent and culinary utility are reason enough to plant it. However, as a companion plant, thyme has additional benefits that can aid in crop production and contribute to the general health of an organic garden:
- Covering soil: All thyme kinds are low-growing and spread, which makes them ideal for flower gardens or raised beds.
Thyme prefers full light, but it can also thrive if planted at the base of tomatoes. - Improving soil condition: Thyme protects the soil from the sun as it spreads, resulting in fewer weeds, improved water retention, increased nutrients in the soil, as well as more nutritious crops.
- Thyme, as an aromatic plant, is excellent for repelling pests such as aphids and mites.
- Thyme’s little blossoms are attractive to butterflies, honey bees, and other pollinators.
- Thyme attracts beneficial insects like as hoverflies, ladybugs, and lacewings, which prey on soft-bodied pests such as aphids and mites. It also attracts parasite wasps and flies that feed on aphids and caterpillars.
THYME COMPANION PLANTING
Plants that thrive with thyme often require full light, good drainage, as well as soil that is not overly nitrogen-rich. Other Mediterranean herbs include rosemary and sage are included, as are key crop vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, and kale.
Planting thyme alongside other herbs can be quite successful in repelling pests, attracting small, predatory insects that prey on pests like aphids and mites. Some gardeners will have success growing these herbs together in raised garden beds or in the ground, provided the soil isn’t too rich or clay. Alternatively, potted herbs can be excellent companions to surrounding veggies.
When compared to other Mediterranean herbs, thyme is fairly versatile; it can thrive wonderfully in a normal raised bed mix among tomatoes, brassicas, and oregano. This makes it ideal for soil companion planting with vegetables, where it can be spread as a ground cover.
Here are the veggies and herbs that will benefit the most from thyme companion planting, no matter how you grow them:
POTATOES
Potatoes planted with thyme can help avoid fungal illnesses, repel pests, and improve soil. Thyme essential oil has been shown to kill the soil-dwelling bacterium that causes potato scab, and it can even prevent the spread of late potato blight. Fragrant thyme types can help deter potato pests such as armyworms and hornworms. Finally, planting thyme near your potatoes will attract ladybugs and hoverflies, which prey on aphids. Thyme, along with basil, and cilantro, is one of the greatest all-around potato companion plants.
TOMATOES
Tomatoes grown with thyme are less likely to suffer from fungal infections and pest damage. Thyme, along with marigolds, is one of the most efficient tomato companion plants for pest control.
Thyme attracts predators such as hoverflies and ladybugs, which help repel whitefly and tomato hornworms and prevent damage from aphids along with other garden pests. Thyme essential oil has been discovered to be an excellent treatment for early tomato blight when it comes to fungal illnesses. Thyme essential oil can even kill soil nematodes.
BRASSICAS
Thyme is an excellent companion plant for cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. Growing thyme can also help to prevent diamondback moth infestations, which are some of the most devastating brassica pests in the world. Thyme, like its other friends, can help increase brassica yields by feeding predatory insects that keep aphids, mites, and cabbage worms at bay.
OREGANO
Oregano’s strong perfume and modest blossoms, like those of other Mediterranean herbs, can discourage pests while also attracting helpful insects like lacewings. These generalist predators prey on soft-bodied garden pests such as aphids and mites and are an important part of a healthy garden.
To protect tomatoes and other fruiting plants against pest damage, plant oregano as well as thyme together in a pot or in a raised bed. They grow in comparable settings, thus one is likely to succeed where the other has failed.
LAVENDER
Lavender and thyme are both drought-tolerant plants that prefer direct sunlight, good drainage, and poor soil. They’ll also withstand a drought, making them an excellent water-wise companion combination for the summer garden. Planting thyme as a ground cover around lavender plants produces a pollinator-friendly border while also improving the soil and providing shelter for beneficial insects.
CONCLUSION
Thyme Companion Planting: While thyme is a valuable herb on its own, it also pairs well with other herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Thyme blossoms attract pollinators, while its scents repel a wide range of pests.
