Teucrium marum(Cat Thyme) Herb Plant

Cat Thyme(Teucrium marum)Herb in 9cm Pot 

Teucrium marum, better known as the cat thyme, is not a thyme at all but is is a close relative of germander. Its small, oval leaves give it a thyme-like appearance, but the musty scent is quite unlike the delicate aroma of thyme, cat thyme is a mound forming, tender perennial with grey-green leaves tipped by fragrant pink flowers in summer. it is known as Cat thyme as some cats prefer it to cat nip, but some will not like it at all. It has oval leaves, broader at the base, downy beneath, with uncut margins. It is in leaf all year. The flowers appearing between July and September, are magenta pint in colour.

Cat thyme is a native of Spain and the Western Mediterranean,  it will survive a winter when the frosts are not severe, though it will require some protection in more exposed areas. In cold areas it may drop its leaves but generally it is evergreen, it may require mulching around the roots in particularly cold/exposed sites to protect over-winter.

Herb Usage

The leaves and younger branches when fresh, on being rubbed emit a volatile, pungent, aromatic smell,  in taste they are somewhat bitter, accompanied with a sensation of heat. Cat thyme has been used medicinally for centuries. It was most often used to treat gallbladder or stomach disorders. When dried, the leaves cause sneezing so they were used as snuff and to treat “disorders of the mind”.

Buy Cat Thyme Online

Our potted Cat Thyme herb plants are generally available to buy online between March and September.