How to Plant Silver Posie Thyme in Containers and Ground

Overview

Silver posie thyme is a low-growing, compact, variegated, lemon-scented herb also known as garden thyme, lemon-scented thyme, and common thyme. Indigenous to Italy and Mediterranean regions. Plant in pots or herb gardens. Needs full sun to partial shade; hardy in USDA zones 5–9.

Container Planting

Step 1: Prepare Pot and Soil

Use 6+ inch wide pot with 3+ drain holes. Fill ½ with potting soil (or mix equal parts sand, compost, sphagnum moss, vermiculite). Add 1 tbsp garden lime per cubic foot for neutral-alkaline preference (Floridata.com).

Step 2: Moisten Soil

Water to saturate mix.

Step 3: Remove from Nursery Pot

For planting packs, push up from cell bottom. For 4-inch pots, invert with hand on root ball, tap near drain holes to loosen, slide off.

Step 4: Loosen Roots

Gently untangle any compacted, entwined, or matted roots.

Step 5: Plant at Same Depth

Set in new container, vertical, adding soil around. Maintain previous growing depth.

Step 6: Firm and Fill

Tamp soil to remove air pockets. Fill container.

Step 7: Fertilize and Water

Use 10-52-17 starter fertilizer: 1 tbsp per gallon water. Water with at least ½ gallon.

Ground Planting

Step 1: Prepare Bed

Dig area with shovel/fork. Remove rocks, weeds, sticks. If soil acidic, mix in 1–2 tbsp garden lime.

Step 2: Remove Plant

As in container Step 3.

Step 3: Dig Hole

Hole as deep/wide as root ball. Space multiple plants 15–20 inches apart.

Step 4: Plant and Fertilize

Set in hole, backfill with soil, firming as you go. Use starter fertilizer as in Step 7. Water each with ~1 gallon.