Native Thyme
Prostranthera incisa (Family: Lamiateae)
Cultural notes:
Where: Full sun - likes the heat.
When: Summer growing perennial - cut back hard in
Autumn.
Soil: Well drained, not too much humus.
Fertilizing: Minimum requirement.
Harvesting: As a pot plant, it provides a
continuous supply of ready herb.
Information
This strongly aromatic bush, is a native to south east NSW,
eastern Victoria and Tasmania. This plant was used by indigenous
Australians for its medicinal properties. The bush grows to 2
meters high with a showy display of lilac flowers on the tips in
Spring. It has very small round leaves, in pairs, attached to a
multitude of stemlets. This plant is related to the Westringia and
naturally occurs in cool moist gullies, particularly along river
banks. It is now a very popular garden plant and can even be used
as a low hedge.
Native Thyme is a strong growing plant, when well watered, in a
sheltered, well drained position in acid to neutral soil
conditions. As a pot plant, it provides a continuous supply of
ready herb, and is easy to maintain with regular pruning.
Commercially, Native Thyme is grown in shade house conditions with
well drained raised beds.
Uses:
A small amount makes a big difference to chicken, turkey, pork
and lamb dishes.