Companion Plant Guide
Cabbage
Pest deterrent for brassicas.
Herb · Mint family
Thyme companion plants
Thymus vulgaris
What to plant beside thyme, what to keep apart, and how to grow it — sun, spacing, soil and the pairings used in this guide.
Photo: Marija Zaric on Unsplash
Overview
Growing thyme beside the right neighbour
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a herb in the Mint family. Low-growing herb that attracts pollinators and repels pests.
A low mat of thyme under taller crops keeps the soil cool and slugs moving on.
Give plants 12–18 in in full sun. Aim for well-draining, lean to moderate fertility. In most gardens the crop sits in USDA zones 3-11 and is ready in about 60-90 days.
Grows well with
What to plant with thyme
The strongest companions for thyme in this guide are Cabbage and Broccoli. Each pairing below is a reason to share a bed — pest masking, roots that do not compete, or insects that hunt the pests thyme attracts.
Broccoli
Beneficial insect attractor.
In the bed
How to grow thyme
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Spacing | 12–18 in |
| Soil | Well-draining, lean to moderate fertility |
| Hardiness | Zones 3-11 |
| Days to maturity | 60-90 |
These notes sit beside the companion lists — they are how thyme actually occupies the bed, not a substitute for local climate.
- Very drought tolerant once established
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Culinary and medicinal uses
Questions
Thyme companion planting FAQ
What can I plant next to thyme?
Plant Cabbage and Broccoli beside thyme. Cabbage: Pest deterrent for brassicas. Broccoli: Beneficial insect attractor.
What should I not plant with thyme?
Thyme has no recorded antagonists in this guide.
How much sun does thyme need?
Thyme wants full sun. Space plants 12–18 in apart in well-draining, lean to moderate fertility.
How long does thyme take to mature?
Most thyme crops in this guide mature in 60-90 days, in hardiness zones 3-11.
Compare every pairing at a glance
Open the guide, pick thyme, and see what thrives alongside it — and what quietly holds it back.
Open the pairing guide