Abstract An inventory of naturally occurring sabinene hydrate (4-thujanol)-rich thyme populations singled out 16 individuals of potential commercial importance. After multiplication by microcuttings and grown in a nursery, we now possess a collection that yields an oil particularly rich in sabinene hydrate (up to 62%). The other constituents commonly found in thyme, 1,8-cineole, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, Î±-terpineol, geraniol, thymol and carvacrol are present only in small amounts, (trace-5.0%).