Assuming that the problem is waterlogged soils, it may take weeks (if at
all) for the plant to recover. It would be best to keep the pot from
getting waterlogged at all even for a short time if possible. Perhaps
moving it under a cover or removing the bottom saucer to let the water
drain freely.

susan, who knows that sellers of houseplants depend on people killing
their plants in just this fashion to sell more!

Frogleg wrote:

I had a lovely thyme in a 10" plastic pot with attached saucer. Leafy,
green, full of life. All of a sudden -- that is, within 2-3 weeks --
it's turned into a haystack. the stems have shed all their leaves
except at the last 2-3 inches, where they still look good. The stems
look dry and brittle. I thought this might be because we have had so
much rain lately, and perhaps the soil had become (and remained)
waterlogged. I've been tipping out the extra water regularly now, but
the plant doesn't look any better.

Does anyone know what this defoliation might be due to?