Large-leaved Thyme Plant Care
Thymus pulegioides L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Thymus pulegioides, common names broad-leaved thyme or lemon thyme, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to Europe. Growing to 5–25 cm (2–10 in) tall by 25 cm (10 in) wide, it is a small spreading subshrub with strongly aromatic leaves, and lilac pink flowers in early summer.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Large-leaved Thyme?
Water Large-leaved Thyme every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Large-leaved Thyme Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Large-leaved Thyme?
Large-leaved Thyme (Thymus pulegioides) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Thymus genus. Large-leaved Thyme is native to Europe. Large-leaved Thyme is also known as Wild Thyme, Creeping Thyme.
Large-leaved Thyme displays a low mat-forming herb growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Large-leaved Thyme produces small, tubular pink to purple flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Large-leaved Thyme?
Thymus pulegioides requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Large-leaved Thyme Need?
Large-leaved Thyme thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Large-leaved Thyme Prefer?
Thymus pulegioides grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Large-leaved Thyme prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Large-leaved Thyme?
Well-draining, sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Large-leaved Thyme to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Large-leaved Thyme?
Feed Large-leaved Thyme every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Large-leaved Thyme?
Divide and replant every 3-4 years. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Large-leaved Thyme?
Large-leaved Thyme can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to creeping thyme plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Large-leaved Thyme Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Large-leaved Thyme, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Large-leaved Thyme?
Large-leaved Thyme is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Large-leaved Thyme Need?
Large-leaved Thyme grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Large-leaved Thyme is native to Europe. In cooler regions, grow Large-leaved Thyme as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Large-leaved Thyme is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Thymus genus — compare its care with other Thymus species on PlantoScan.
Thymus is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Large-leaved Thyme thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Thymus Species
Other Thymus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Thymus pulegioides L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 592 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Large-leaved Thyme, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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