I am a tiny, brown, oval-shaped promise, a thyme seed. I am dormant, containing within me the complete genetic blueprint for a fragrant, resilient herb. My outer shell is hard, protecting the precious life inside. I require a specific signal to break this dormancy: consistent moisture and warmth. Without it, I will slumber indefinitely. My needs are simple but non-negotiable; a gentle nudge from the right environment is all I ask to begin my journey.
The journey begins when you place me on the surface of a fine, moist, well-draining seed-starting mix. Do not bury me deeply! I need light to germinate. A mere sprinkling of vermiculite or a gentle press into the soil surface is all that is required to ensure I have the contact I need. The consistent moisture you provide softens my hard coat, and the warmth (ideally between 65-70°F / 18-21°C) acts as a catalyst. Slowly, I drink and swell, until a tiny root, my radicle, emerges to anchor me down and seek water and nutrients. This process is not quick; please be patient, as it can take anywhere from 14 to 28 days for me to show myself.
Once my first set of true leaves—those small, aromatic leaves you recognize as thyme—emerge alongside my initial seed leaves (cotyledons), my needs shift. I am incredibly vulnerable at this stage. My roots are fine and delicate, susceptible to rotting in soggy soil. Water me from the bottom if you can, allowing the soil to wick up moisture, keeping my base dry. I crave bright, direct light for at least 12-14 hours a day; a south-facing window or a grow light will prevent me from becoming leggy and weak as I strain for the sun. This is where my strength is built.
After I have developed several sets of true leaves and the weather outside is consistently warm, I must be prepared for the realities of the outdoors. My life indoors has been sheltered—the wind doesn't blow, the sun is less intense. To move me directly outside would be a shock I might not survive. I need a gradual transition, a process you call "hardening off." Please place me in a sheltered, partially shaded spot outdoors for just an hour or two the first day, gradually increasing the time and exposure to direct sunlight over 7-10 days. This allows my tissues to toughen up and my waxy cuticle to thicken, readying me for a life in the elements.
I thrive in conditions that mimic my native Mediterranean home: full, blazing sun and exceptionally well-draining, even gritty, soil. A heavy, wet clay soil is a death sentence for my roots. When transplanting me into my final pot or garden bed, handle my root ball with care. Plant me at the same depth I was growing in my seedling tray. Space my siblings and me about 12 inches apart; we like to spread out as we mature into low, creeping mats. Once settled, water me in well to settle the soil around my roots.
