Companion Planting with Thyme: What Grows Well Together (and What Doesn’t)

Fast rule: Thyme is a Mediterranean, drought-tolerant herb that loves full sun, lean, free-draining soil, and infrequent watering. It pairs best with herbs that like the same conditions (rosemary, sage, oregano). Moisture-loving herbs (basil, parsley, mint) don’t share a pot happily with thyme—but can co-exist in the same bed if you separate their “water zones.”

Thyme Companion Matrix

Pairing	Same Pot?	Same Bed?	Why
Thyme + Rosemary	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Both dry, sunny, lean soil; identical care.
Thyme + Sage	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Mediterranean pair; low fertiliser, low water.
Thyme + Oregano	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Very similar needs; great flavour bed.
Thyme + Chives	➖ Sometimes	✅ Yes	Chives like a bit more moisture; use separate pots or separate zones in a bed.
Thyme + Dill	➖ Not ideal	✅ Yes	Dill prefers richer, moister soil; keep to a wetter zone.
Thyme + Basil	❌ No	✅ Yes (zoned)	Basil wants richer soil and more water; separate by irrigation.
Thyme + Parsley	❌ No	✅ Yes (zoned)	Parsley = moisture & nutrient lover; keep its zone wetter/fertile.
Thyme + Mint	❌ No	➖ Only if mint is contained	Mint is invasive & likes moisture; keep mint in its own pot.
Thyme + Tomatoes	❌ No	✅ Yes (edge)	Great border for airflow & pest deterrence; don’t share a pot or heavy feed.

Direct-sowing creeping thyme? ✅ Yes—surface sow in warm soil and don’t bury the seed. Supermarket thyme? ✅ You can plant it—split the clump, harden off a week, then pot up in free-draining mix.

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Same Pot vs Same Bed: Set Up the Right “Water Zone”

Dry Zone (Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Oregano): Sandy mix (premium potting soil : coarse sand : perlite = 1:1:1), full sun, water when top 3–4 cm are dry.
Moist Zone (Basil, Parsley, Chives, Dill): Richer mix with composted bark or coco coir; keep evenly moist.

Container Rules

Do combine in pots: Thyme + rosemary + sage + oregano (same care).
Don’t combine in pots: Thyme with basil/parsley/mint (watering conflicts and different fertility needs).
Sizes: 25–30 cm wide pot per thyme plant; 35–40 cm if sharing with rosemary/sage.
Fertiliser (light touch): For potted herbs, use a gentle program—see note below.

Garden Bed Layout

Sun first: 6–8 hours of direct sun for the Mediterranean group. Basil/parsley handle slightly less if soil is richer.
Drainage gradient: Mound or gravelly strip for the thyme group; richer, level bed for basil/parsley. Irrigate these strips separately.
Tomatoes + thyme: Plant thyme along the bed edge as a low, airy border. Don’t share fertiliser regimes—tomatoes need heavier feeding.

Sowing & Starts

Creeping thyme (direct ground): Surface-sow in late spring once soil ≥ 15 °C; press seed in, don’t cover; mist daily until germination.
Supermarket thyme: Remove sleeve, split the root mass into 2–3 clumps, pot into gritty mix, keep in bright shade 5–7 days (harden off), then move to full sun.
Cuttings: 7–10 cm non-flowering tip cuttings root in 2–3 weeks in sandy mix; keep just barely moist.

Feeding note (pots only): Thyme likes lean nutrition. Use a very gentle liquid program: apply CompleteGrow Indoor Plant Food Concentrate every 4–6 weeks for potted thyme, oregano, sage, and rosemary. For basil/parsley (separate pots), you can feed a little more frequently.

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FAQ — Can Thyme Be Planted With…?

Can basil and thyme be planted together?
Same pot: no. Basil prefers richer, moister soil. Same bed: yes, if you separate irrigation—dry strip for thyme; moist strip for basil.

Can oregano and thyme be planted together?
Yes—excellent pair in the same pot or bed (identical care).

Can parsley and thyme be planted together?
Same pot, no. Same bed, yes—zone moisture/fertility for parsley.

Can rosemary and thyme be planted together?
Yes—ideal partners in one pot or bed; both like dry, sunny, lean conditions.

Can sage and thyme be planted together?
Yes—same care profile; good in one container.

Can chives or dill be planted with thyme?
Same bed, yes; same pot isn’t ideal because chives/dill like more moisture and fertility.

Can mint be planted with thyme?
Not in the same pot. In beds, keep mint contained (it’s invasive) and in a wetter zone.

Can thyme be planted with tomatoes?
Yes as a border companion—great airflow and pest-deterrent edge. Don’t share a pot; tomatoes need heavier feeding and more water.

Can I plant creeping thyme seeds directly in the ground?
Yes—surface-sow in warm soil (late spring), firm in, don’t cover, and mist until germinated.

Can I plant thyme from the supermarket?
Yes—divide the clump, pot into a gritty mix, harden off for a week, then move to full sun.

Can I plant thyme from cuttings?
Yes—7–10 cm softwood tips root readily in sandy mix within 2–3 weeks.

Final Recommendation

Group thyme with rosemary, sage, and oregano for effortless care. Keep basil, parsley, dill, and mint in their own pots or wetter zones nearby. For potted Mediterranean herbs, use light, infrequent feeding with CompleteGrow Indoor Plant Food Concentrate every 4–6 weeks to maintain compact, aromatic growth without overstimulating.