I planted a healthy-looking thyme plant in potting soil about 3 weeks ago. Within the last week, it started dying back from the bottom up and the dead parts look very dark (the darkness doesn't show up in the photo very well, but the rotting is clear). The plant gets about 6 hrs of direct sun per day and the soil drains very well. I've had the same problem with thyme (different varieties) in other locations around my house.
Can anyone help me figure out what is happening?
Thanks!
That's not a lot of sun, especially if that's 6 hours of morning sun (?), and I'm thinking the plant may not be drying out well after watering... I would mulch with light colored sand or pea gravel, which will reflect warmth and light back up into the plant, helping to dry the foliage. If you are doing the watering (rain comes down however it wants LOL), try to water from the bottom or to direct the water away from the top growth as much as possible.
Thanks! Will try different mulch and will water less.
I don't know that you necessarily need to water less, just try not to get water on the foliage if you can manage it... also, if you water in the morning the plant will have all day to dry out and won't sit cold and wet overnight.
Good luck!
Different zone and all that, but I had the same problem with thyme in a pot. Here it is growing in the ground, and it seems very happy there, even though we've had daily rain for a while.
Hmmmm. I plant mine in ground this year as I suffered the same problem last year in a pot. Well, it did the same thing in ground and was definitely dry and hot and sunny. When it started going south, I uprooted it and replanted in a pot. Hoping to better control the moisture level but alas, it didn't survive my vacation. Not to worry, I will try again and again... and again. : ) BL ~ your rain/drainage combination must be just right!
pod, if the conditions are right, it's sure not my fault! I ask the plants where they'd like to be and when I get a feeling one is saying "ooh! me! here! here!" I plant it. I must have heard the thyme this time.
Hmmm. Maybe I DO need a hearing aid. LOL
Or a cauliflower ear?
Sorry. It just came out. I'm duly ashamed.
LOL ~ this evening I see my pineapple mint is suffering the same malady.
