Growing thyme indoors is one of the easiest ways to get fresh flavour on hand all year. The trick is keeping it bright, slightly dry, and lightly trimmed so it stays compact instead of leggy.

Quick answer: how to grow thyme indoors

• Put thyme in your brightest spot (it hates dim rooms)

• Use a small pot with drainage and fast-draining compost

• Water only when the top 2–3 cm feels dry

• Pinch tips regularly to keep it bushy

• Feed lightly (or not at all) unless growth stalls

• Rotate the pot weekly so it grows evenly

Do this first: Move your thyme as close to strong light as possible (a bright windowsill is ideal) and rotate the pot a quarter-turn once a week.

Why thyme is a great indoor herb

Thyme is naturally tough and prefers conditions many indoor herbs struggle with: bright light, airflow, and slightly drier compost. That’s why it’s a good “set-and-forget” herb once you get the basics right.

It’s also one of the best herbs for small spaces because you can harvest little and often without the plant collapsing.

If you’re building a low-fuss herb setup, Low Maintenance Indoor Herb Garden Ideas fits perfectly with thyme.

Best light for thyme indoors

Light is the #1 success factor. If thyme doesn’t get enough light, it stretches, thins out, and loses that compact, woody shape that makes it productive.

Aim for:

• The brightest window you have (bright, direct light is fine for thyme)

• Rotate the pot weekly for even growth

• If you’re in a low-light room, add a small light to keep growth steady

A neat option that works well above a windowsill or shelf is a LED grow light bar because it spreads light evenly without a bulky setup.

If you want a quick way to judge whether your spot is bright enough, Best Lights for Indoor Gardening makes it much easier to tell.

The right pot and compost for indoor thyme

Thyme does best when roots can breathe. Indoors, that means drainage first, then everything else.

A simple setup:

• Small pot (thyme prefers being slightly snug rather than swimming in compost)

• Drainage holes + saucer you actually empty

• Free-draining compost (avoid heavy, soggy mixes)

If your herb pots often stay wet for days, you’ll get better results by fixing watering habits first.

Avoid this mistake: potting thyme into a huge container

A pot that’s too big holds water for too long indoors. Thyme roots hate sitting wet, so go up one size at a time only when roots fill the pot.

How to water thyme indoors (the easiest method)

Thyme prefers a “water, then wait” approach. Indoors, it’s almost always better to water less often than you think.

Use this routine:

• Water thoroughly until it drains

• Empty the saucer after 10–15 minutes

• Don’t water again until the top 2–3 cm feels dry

A useful rule: if the pot still feels heavy, it’s usually still wet enough.

Fix in 10 minutes: thyme wilting even though compost is wet

If thyme droops while the compost feels damp, roots may be stressed.

1. Empty any water sitting in the saucer

2. Move the pot to a brighter, warmer spot for 48 hours

3. Don’t water again until the top layer dries properly

4. If the compost stays wet for ages, repot into a more free-draining mix

How to prune thyme so it grows bushy (not leggy)

Pruning is what keeps indoor thyme compact. The goal is regular tip pinching, not big aggressive cuts.

Do this:

• Pinch or snip the top few centimetres regularly

• Cut just above a leaf cluster so it branches

• Avoid cutting into old, bare woody stems (they regrow slowly)

For clean, precise harvesting without crushing stems, micro-tip pruning snips are genuinely handy.

What to do if your thyme has gone woody

Woody thyme happens when growth gets old and the plant hasn’t been trimmed often. You can improve it, but don’t expect instant softness everywhere.

• Trim lightly and often from the green parts

• Encourage new growth by improving light

• Replace the plant if it’s mostly bare wood with a few leaves at the ends

Feeding indoor thyme (do you even need fertiliser?)

Most indoor thyme needs very little feeding. Too much fertiliser can make it grow fast and soft, which often means less flavour and weaker stems.

A simple approach:

• Skip feeding if growth is steady and leaves look healthy

• Feed lightly only if growth stalls for weeks despite good light

• Always water first, then feed (never feed dry compost)

If you’re unsure how to feed houseplants and herbs without overdoing it, Liquid Fertilizer keeps the basics simple.

According to advice often shared in university extension herb-growing resources, thyme generally performs best with strong light and well-drained compost rather than heavy feeding.

Long-tail quick fixes (fast answers)

Why is my indoor thyme turning yellow?

Most commonly: compost staying too wet, or not enough light. Let it dry more between waterings and move it to a brighter spot.

Why does thyme taste weak indoors?

Flavour often drops when growth is soft from low light or too much feed. Stronger light and lighter feeding usually improve taste.

Can thyme grow indoors in winter?

Yes, but growth slows when light is limited. Keep watering lighter and focus on maintaining health rather than forcing fast growth.

How do I harvest thyme without killing the plant?

Harvest little and often:

• Take the top 5–10 cm of a few stems

• Leave plenty of green growth behind

• Avoid stripping one stem bare from top to bottom

If you also grow mint and want a similar “pinch-and-repeat” method,  How to Prune Mint Guide fits well here.

FAQs About Growing Thyme Indoors

How long does thyme live indoors?
With bright light and careful watering, thyme can last years indoors, though it may need refreshing or replacing if it becomes very woody.

Does thyme need full sun indoors?
It doesn’t have to be full sun all day, but thyme needs a very bright spot. Low light is the main reason indoor thyme fails.

How often should I water thyme indoors?
Only when the top 2–3 cm feels dry. Indoors, overwatering is far more common than underwatering with thyme.

Should I mist thyme?
Usually no. Thyme prefers airflow and drier conditions, and misting can encourage fungal issues in still rooms.

Final Thoughts on Growing Thyme Indoors

If you give thyme bright light, let the compost dry slightly between waterings, and snip tips regularly, it becomes one of the most reliable indoor herbs you can grow. Keep the pot modest, avoid heavy feeding, and treat harvesting as gentle pruning.

Related Articles

• Low Maintenance Indoor Herb Garden Ideas

• How to Grow Mint