Mature Thyme

My thyme has gone very woody and always seems in flower what is best, should I be cutting it right back to nearly nothing

 

I have recently trimmed my thymes back by half to encourage fresh growth but they were quite young plants. If yours are more than a couple of years old and very woody they may not respond well to hard pruning but it might be worth taking a risk and using any fresh growth to make softwood cuttings in spring. Be sure that the plants are in free draining, nutrient poor soil and in full sun.

 

Another option is to replant it very deep (in well-drained soil) so that only the top few inches are above the soil surface.
Roots should grow from the buried stems and you should end up with a clump of new plants.
It's something I've done before with tired old heather plants and that has worked well.

I've never tried with thyme but I had a Google and it seems to be a method that others have said works with thyme.
It's also possible to layer the stems.

I generally buy new plants every couple of years.
Lemon thyme is my favourite for use with fish or chicken.

PS - I just asked Google AI, which said-
AI Overview


Yes, burying an old, woody thyme plant deep—leaving only the green, leafy tops above the soil—is an effective way to rejuvenate it, as
the buried woody stems will often root.
Here is the breakdown of how this works and how to ensure success:

Why It Works (Rejuvenation)

• Rooting along the stem: Woody thyme stems can produce new roots when they are in contact with moist, well-draining soil.
• Encouraging new growth: Covering the woody, brown parts of the plant often triggers new, green growth from those submerged sections.

How to Do It

1. Prepare the Spot: Choose a sunny location with very well-draining, sandy, or gritty soil. Avoid areas that stay wet.
2. Plant Deeply: Dig a hole deep enough so that almost the entire woody, brown structure is submerged, leaving only the healthy, leafy, green tips sticking out.
3. Backfill and Firm: Fill in the hole with soil, pressing it firmly around the stems to ensure good soil-to-stem contact.
4. Water Gently: Water in the plant to settle the soil, but avoid overwatering, as woody thyme is susceptible to root rot.

Tips for Success

• Timing: This is best done in early spring or autumn.
• Pruning: Before planting, lightly trim the green tips to encourage bushier growth, but do not cut into the old, dead wood.
• Alternative Method (Layering): If you are afraid to bury the whole plant, you can use "layering." Bend a low-growing woody stem to the ground, peg it down with a rock or wire, and cover it with soil, leaving the tip exposed. It will root over several weeks.

Note: If the plant is entirely woody and has no green leaves at all, it may be too old to revive.