Overwintering guide
How to overwinter silver queen thyme
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills silver queen thyme in winter
Cutting silver queen thyme hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More silver queen thyme care
Overwintering silver queen thyme — FAQ
Does silver queen thyme need to come indoors for winter?
Silver Queen Thyme is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Silver Queen Thyme is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move silver queen thyme for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water silver queen thyme in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills silver queen thyme over winter?
Cutting silver queen thyme hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.