Cascade thyme, Thymus longicaulis: care from A-Z

Cascade thyme is one of the most beautiful types of thyme. It can grow crawling or hanging and impresses with pink flowers. The fragrant plant with the low growth is suitable for border borders, rock gardens and window boxes.

Location

Cascade thyme needs one sunny to partially shadedLocation with permeable, calcareous soil.

plants

Plant the young plants in the spring. The popular spice plant thrives particularly well in the Rock garden. You can with the fragrant, small-growing plant Create blooming borders. Along with basil, rosemary and sage grows up cascade thyme Herb beds.

Attention: Cascade thyme does not get along with marjoram.

Thymus longicaulis is becoming more and more common as a container plant used. In Window boxes planted, a pink sea of ​​flowers emerges. Use a loose, slightly sandy substrate.

Fertilize

Caring for the cascade thyme is easy. Like other thyme, it is very undemanding. Give the herb twice a year some compost soil. Additional fertilization is not required.

Note: Even if you mean it well, fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers is unnecessary. It does not strengthen the plant and can even increase the risk of mold infestation.

to water

The robust plant withstands even long dry periods without prejudice. In hot dry summers the thyme should however additional watering obtain.

By the way, a cascade is a step-shaped waterfall. The overhanging growth of the cascade thyme gave it its name.

Cut

Cascade Thyme forms woody shoots. Lumbering can be done with one regular cut be reduced. Furthermore, with the cut, the Branching and the new shoot formation promoted. This can create beautiful, dense clumps. In the ornamental garden he wears Topiary for design at. This prevents the fast-growing plant from overgrowing.

The topiary of the cascade thyme takes place in spring, from April to May. Use sharp, clean scissors. Use this to shorten the woody shoots. Also pay attention to the weather forecast. If frost is forecast, cover the cut thyme with a protective fleece.

The young shoots can be cut for seasoning or decorating until August.

Attention: Avoid pruning all types of thyme in autumn. The Mediterranean herbs are sensitive to the cold after they have been cut and could be damaged by the autumn cut.

Overwinter

In winter, cascade thyme can be covered with a fleece to prevent the leaves from shedding. It is not absolutely necessary. Cascade thyme is hardy.

Anyone who has planted the herbs in tubs or balcony boxes can put them in the basement for the winter or in a sheltered place with a cover made of brushwood.

Multiply

Thymus longicaulis opens up different types multiply.

Seeds

• forms seeds after flowering
• sows itself
• collect small black seeds
• sow in sandy potting soil
• first seeds sprout after about two weeks
• prick out the plants after a further 14 days
• plant at a distance of 20 centimeters
• Carefully water young plants

Tip: You can sow the seeds in a suitable location outdoors or in tubs.

division

The cascade thyme is a very fast growing plant. Take advantage of this. Dig up the plant and use a clean, sharp spade to divide the roots. Then plant the parts in the soil in separate places and water them. The spice plant soon grew.

Cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is possible. To do this, a lignified shoot is cut and rooted in a vessel with water. Alternatively, you can plant the head cuttings in sandy substrate.

Pests and diseases

Most commonly occur on cascade thyme

• Aphids
• Cicadas
• mildew
• Gray mold

on.

If your plants Aphids have, pour them with Horsetail broth. How to make the herbal manure:

• Collect field horsetail
• crushed plant parts in large pot against
• Pour water over them
• Rule of thumb: 150 grams fresh or 15 grams of dried horsetail per liter
• Leave to soak for 24 hours
• bring to the boil and simmer for about half an hour
• Strain off plant residues with a sieve
• Let the broth cool down
• fill in spray bottle

Horsetail broth not only drives away the aphids. It helps against fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and gray mold.

Tip: Create good conditions for the natural enemies of aphids in your garden. Ladybugs, parasitic wasps, spiders and birds are the best protection against pests.

Cicadas like to settle on thyme. The small, flightable insects are greenish or yellow in color and are between 2 and 4 millimeters in size. The infestation can be recognized by the silvery, shiny sucking points on the thyme leaves. The leaves appear dotted with white when the infestation is severe and gradually fall off. Especially hot, dry summers favor the appearance of the cicadas.

• Use of neem oil or ready-made neem preparations against cicadas
• not during the flowering period
• harms bees and other flower-visiting insects
• Alternative: vinegar
• Spray diluted vinegar essence on plants in the morning
• Don't forget the underside of the leaves
• Yellow boards also helpful

use

The ways to use the cascade thyme are diverse. as Aromatic plant it is used fresh or dried to refine Mediterranean dishes. If you want, you can also prepare a spicy tea from the garden herb.

Thyme is one of the most important Medicinal plants. Due to the essential oil contained, compresses and teas help with colds such as coughs, hoarseness and sore throats. The medicinal herb also has an anti-inflammatory effect. A mouthwash with cascade thyme tea helps against gum inflammation and bad breath.

The essential oils contained make Thymus longicaulis a popular one Fragrant plant. The aromatic scent unfolds with flowering plants on the bed or on the balcony. The herb can also be dried perfectly. Cut off the flowering branches and hang them upside down in an airy place to dry. Dried thyme can then be used in sachets and potpourris.

Tip: Soak cascading thyme sprigs in oil. You can give the aromatic spice oil as a gift, filled in pretty bottles and decorated with a label and ribbon.

frequently asked Questions