Planting in Too Much Shade
Both herbs crave sun—at least six hours a day. Basil tolerates partial shade, but in a shady spot it becomes leggy with pale leaves, and thyme won’t produce those essential oils that give it zing. I tried a north-facing corner once and ended up with bland, floppy stems.
If your garden is shaded by trees or a wall, consider a sunny container you can move around. Thyme will deepen its scent under bright light, and basil will develop those glossy green leaves perfect for pesto!