Get tips on the best way to prune thyme, including when and how to prune for the best results.
Checkout this video:
Why Prune Thyme
Pruning thyme is important to keep the plant healthy and to prevent it from becoming overgrown.Regular pruning also encourages new growth, which results in more thyme for cooking.
Thyme is a low-growing herb that can become woody and leggy if left unpruned. It’s a good idea to prune thyme regularly, about once a month, to keep it bushy and full. When pruning, cut the stems back by about one-third their length.
Pruning also helps to prevent diseases and pests from taking hold of the plant. Thyme is susceptible to powdery mildew, which can be controlled by regularly pruning off any affected leaves.
When to Prune
Thyme is a great herb to have in the kitchen, and it’s relatively easy to care for. Pruning is an important part of keeping thyme healthy and preventing it from getting too leggy. But when is the best time to prune thyme?
The best time to prune thyme is in the spring, after the last frost. This will give the plant a chance to recover from winter and start growing anew. Thyme can also be pruned in the fall, but be sure to do so before the first frost.
When pruning, remove any dead or dying stems, as well as any stems that are overcrowded or not receiving enough light. It’s also a good idea to trim back any leggy stems so that the plant will produce more compact growth.
How to Prune
Pruning is an important part of keeping your thyme plant healthy and strong. It will also encourage new growth, which means more thyme for you to use in your cooking!
Here are some tips on how to prune thyme:
-Start by removing any dead or dying stems. These can be identified by their brown or black color.
-Next, cut back any lengthy stems that are longer than 12 inches. cutting them back to 6 inches will help encourage new growth.
-Finally, shape your plant by trimming back any straggly stems. This will help give your plant a nice, tidy appearance.
After You Prune
After you’ve cut away the dead or woody parts of the thyme plant, give it a light shaping to maintain a pleasing shape. You can also trim off any wayward growth that’s headed in an unattractive direction. Start by pinching back the tips of any long stems to encourage full, bushy growth. Next, cut back any stems that are longer than necessary to maintain the desired shape of your plant. For example, if you want a rounder plant, cut off any stem tips that are headed skyward. Finally, use your pruning shears to snip away any unwanted growth, such as crossing branches or stems that are growing out of bounds.