Helpful information
Timing: All year round
Where to do it: Indoors
Garden space: Indoor space
It's possible to grow your own thyme from a small supermarket packet. Jason 'The Cloud Gardener' Williams shares a step by step guide.
- A quick activity with minimal equipment that can increase your confidence as a gardener
- Changing water and checking on plants can provide a routine to help ease the mind
- The pleasure of growing your own fresh herbs to flavour your meals - if you have a lot, you could share some with others
Click here if you'd prefer to follow a video guide
Watch nowEssential items
- Small packet of thyme (from the supermarket is fine)
- Small pot / jam jar
Optional items
- Chopping board
Follow these steps to grow thyme in water with ease.
Step 1: Gather everything you need
Thyme sprigs from a small supermarket packet
Start by gathering everything you will need for this task together. Find a suitable spot to do it. Inside at a table is ideal.
Step 2: Remove the leaves from the bottom of the thyme
Stripping leaves from the bottom of a thyme sprig
Decide how many sprigs (small stems) of thyme you will use. Any amount is fine - choose whatever seems manageable.
Remove all leaves from the bottom 1-2 inches of each sprig. You could always use the leaves you've removed to flavour your next meal!
You may find it saves mess if you do this on a chopping board.
Step 3: Put the thyme springs in a pot of water
Thyme sprigs in a pot of water
Fill your pot / jar with a small amount of water. Put your thyme sprigs in. They can all go in together.
Try to make sure that none of the thyme leaves are in the water.
Step 4: Position your pot
Place your pot of thyme on a sunny windowsill where it can grow.
Changing water
Check on your thyme plants regularly. Completely change the water every one or two days.
For me personally, this really helps with my mental health because it gives me a routine to do every morning.
Jason
Potting on
After about 10-14 days, you should start to notice some roots appearing. Once the roots have grown well, you can pot up your thyme into some compost.
Thyme in water growing roots
In small pots or containers, make holes deep enough for your thyme (use a thin stick or a dibber if preferred). Put one sprig of thyme per hole. Cover over with compost and water well.
You may eventually like to put your thyme into an even bigger container.
Growing thyme is an enjoyable task that will keep giving back to you whilst making your meals all the more delicious! You can even pot up some thyme and bring it over to a friend as a homemade gift.
See more of Jason's accessible and fun video guides by following his social media channels.
- Facebook: Cloud Gardener UK
- Instagram: @cloudgardeneruk
- Twitter: @CloudGardenerUK
- Youtube: Cloud Gardener UK
- Tiktok: cloudgardeneruk
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