Plant guide
Common thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Common thyme is non-toxic to cats. This applies to the plant, not concentrated oils or flavored products.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Thymus vulgaris only; do not treat every plant called thyme as the same species.
Photo:
Photo details
Thymus vulgaris — NC State Extension image 5590
By Ferran Turmo Gort
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
Thymus vulgaris — NC State Extension image 5590
By Ferran Turmo Gort
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
English thyme plant
View on Amazon — English thyme plant; paid link; opens in a new tabPaid link · Opens in a new tab
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Thymus vulgaris and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Thymus vulgaris
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Thymus vulgaris only; do not treat every plant called thyme as the same species.
- Light
- Sunny position
Full sun.
- Watering
- Let the mix dry
Let the soil become relatively dry; avoid waterlogged roots.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
No preferred temperature range established.
- Humidity
No specific humidity target established.
- Potting
- Very well-drained sandy or rocky soil, neutral to alkaline.
- Through the year
- Trim leggy growth in spring or summer.
Growing-guide sources
- Thymus vulgaris ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-15
Thymus vulgaris only; do not treat every plant called thyme as the same species.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-16. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.