Companion Plant Guide
Cabbage
Pest deterrent for brassicas.
Herb · Mint family
Thyme companion plants
Thymus vulgaris
What to plant with thyme, what to keep apart, and how to grow it — sun, spacing, soil and the reason behind every pairing.
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 best companion plants for thyme in this guide are Cabbage, Broccoli, Tomato, Strawberry, Kale, Rosemary, and Sage. Each pairing below is a reason to share a bed — pest masking, roots that do not compete, or insects that hunt the pests drawn to thyme.
Broccoli
Beneficial insect attractor.
Tomato
Low aromatic cover said to deter whitefly and hornworm.
Strawberry
Low cover under strawberries; flowers draw pollinators.
Kale
Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths.
Rosemary
Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water.
Sage
Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water.
Thyme is also a good companion for
Turnip — Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage-family pests.
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, Broccoli, Tomato, Strawberry, Kale, Rosemary, and Sage beside thyme. Cabbage: Pest deterrent for brassicas. Broccoli: Beneficial insect attractor. Tomato: Low aromatic cover said to deter whitefly and hornworm. Strawberry: Low cover under strawberries; flowers draw pollinators. Kale: Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths. Rosemary: Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water. Sage: Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water.
What should I not plant with thyme?
Thyme has no recorded antagonists in this guide — it gets on with most of the bed.
How much sun do thyme plants need?
Thyme plants want full sun. Space them 12–18 in apart in well-draining, lean to moderate fertility.
How long do thyme plants take to mature?
Most thyme plants are ready in about 60-90 days. Thyme grows in USDA 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