How to prune english thyme

After flowering in late spring to early summer; light tip harvests any time during the growing season. Use clean scissors or pruners to trim the top third of soft, leafy growth after the main flush of flowers fades. Shape the mound lightly and remove any dead or woody stems at the base.

Once annually after flowering, plus ongoing light tip harvests as needed. English thyme benefits from pruning to prevent the woody die-back that makes stems unproductive over time. Cut back by up to one-third after flowering in late spring or early summer to keep the plant bushy. Avoid cutting into hard, leafless wood — it rarely regenerates. Harvest tips freely throughout the growing season.

Use clean scissors or pruners to trim the top third of soft, leafy growth after the main flush of flowers fades. Shape the mound lightly and remove any dead or woody stems at the base.