Season of Interest; Summer Type; Herb Seeds Climate; Dry Common Name; Thyme Foliage; Open Pollinated. Features; Open-Pollinating Country/Region of Manufacture; United States A perennial in the mint family of plants, thyme is a small, attractive herb with a plethora of small white, pink, or lilac flowers. Incredibly, there are more than 350 known thyme species, undoubtedly because they hybridize so easily. Thyme can be bushy or low-growing, with leaves varying in color from deep to paler green shades, some with touches of olive, silver (one of the hardiest), or bronze. Some of the variety names are lovely, like Archer's Gold and Rainbow Falls, not necessarily reflecting the different scents which can be reminiscent of pine, caraway, lemon, camphor, or eucalyptus. Thyme is an excellent source of vitamin C (75% of the daily recommended value), vitamin A (27%), fiber (16 %), riboflavin, iron (27%), copper, and manganese (24%), 11% each in calcium and manganese, and doses of vitamin B6, folate, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc as well. Studies on thymol reported its ability to significantly increase healthy fats throughout the cells and even increase the DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid) content in kidney, heart, and brain cell membranes. This combination of attributes in the oils, vitamins and minerals, plus rosmarinic and ursolic acids, which are powerful terpenoids, can even be cancer preventive. While this herb has dozens of household uses, such as keeping moths from linens and beetles from the garden, and is used in soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes, thyme has also been known for millennia as a healer. Its antibacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial ability, primarily from the volatile oils carvacolo, borneol, geraniol, and thymol, have been clinically proven; for example, acne cream with thyme as the active ingredient is more effective than benzoyle peroxide. Rosmarinic and ursolic acids are terpenoids that have been shown to be cancer preventive. GROWING INFORMATION DAYS TO GERMINATION:14-21 days. SOWING:Transplant (recommended): Start seeds in flats 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds on top of the growing medium and cover with a thin layer of soil mix. Keep moist until germination. Transplant to individual containers when plants have 4 true leaves. After the last frost in spring, transplant outside and space 6-8" apart, in rows 12-18" apart. Pinch off growing tips of upright growing varieties to make bushier plants. LIGHT PREFERENCE:Sun/Part Shade. In very hot climates, thyme will need part shade to do well. SOIL REQUIREMENTS:Thyme grows best in light, dry, well-drained soil. PLANT HEIGHT:Varies. PLANT SPACING:6-8". HARDINESS ZONES:Varies. HARVEST:Cut only a few stems the first year in order for the plants to winter over. In subsequent years, harvest just as the flowers being to open. Cut back to within 4-5" above the ground.Note:Thyme will become woody and needs to be divided or replaced after 3-4 year NOTE: Images Shown are of Mature Plants