From my perspective, a perfect home is non-negotiable. I crave a location that bathes in at least six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily; this is the energy source that fuels my potent oil production. The soil is my foundation. I demand it to be lean, sandy, or loamy, but above all, exceptionally well-draining. Heavy, waterlogged clay soils are my nemesis, as they suffocate my roots and lead to a fatal case of root rot. If you must pot me, ensure my container has generous drainage holes and use a gritty potting mix, perhaps amended with a handful of sand or perlite.
My watering needs are simple: think of the dry, rocky hillsides of my Mediterranean homeland. I am drought-tolerant by nature and prefer to dry out significantly between drinks. Please, do not hover with a watering can. The best practice is to check the soil about an inch below the surface. If it feels dry to the touch, it is time for a deep, thorough watering that allows excess to flow freely from the drainage holes. If it is still moist, leave me be. Soggy soil is a death sentence. In winter, when my growth slows, I need even less water, just enough to prevent my roots from completely desiccating.
I am not a heavy feeder. In fact, too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen-rich formulas, will harm me. It encourages rapid, weak, and leggy growth at the expense of developing the intensely flavorful essential oils you desire. My flavor becomes diluted and grassy. A single, light application of a balanced, organic fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season is more than sufficient. My philosophy is that a little hardship builds character and concentration of flavor.
Your act of harvesting is my prime directive for healthy growth. Regularly snipping my stems encourages me to become bushier and fuller, preventing me from becoming woody and leggy. Always use clean, sharp shears and make your cuts just above a set of leaves, as this is where I will branch out from. Do not be timid; a good harvest in early summer, just before I flower, will yield the most potent leaves and often prompt a second, lush growth later in the season. If you see flower buds forming, you can choose to pinch them off to direct all my energy into leaf production.
Understand that I have a natural cycle. I burst with vigorous growth in the warm spring and summer sun. As autumn approaches and daylight wanes, my growth will naturally slow down. If you live in a climate with cold, wet winters, I greatly appreciate protection. A layer of mulch around my base can help insulate my roots from freeze-thaw cycles. For potted plants, moving me to a sheltered spot like a garage or porch is ideal. This is not a time for growth, but for rest. Please reduce watering significantly and allow me this dormant period to gather strength for the next spring.
