Thymus pseudolanuginosus
woolly thyme
Southern and central Europe, Mediterranean region; dry rocky slopes and grassland
Overview
Thymus pseudolanuginosus is woolly thyme (fuzzy thyme), a prostrate spreading evergreen perennial growing 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Sparse pale pink flowers 0.1 inch (3 mm) in June-July (3 weeks). Gray-green to silver tiny leaves densely covered in soft woolly hairs — the woolliest of the creeping thymes. In Lamiaceae spp.. Pseudolanuginosus = falsely woolly. Tolerates light foot traffic. The woolly hair covering is the primary feature, not the flowers (which are sparse). Crown rot in humid wet conditions — sharp drainage and good air circulation critical. The woolly hairs trap moisture, making this thyme more susceptible to rot in humid climates than smooth-leaved species. Not culinary. Native to southern Europe. Drought-tolerant. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate.
Native Range
Native to southern and central Europe, Mediterranean region. Found on dry rocky slopes and grassland.Suggested Uses
Grown as a silver-woolly ground cover between stepping stones, in rock gardens, over walls, and in containers of at least 1 gallon (3.8 L), spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm). Walkable. Sharp drainage required. Not culinary. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 3"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Early summer (June-July). Pale pink tiny flowers 0.1 inch (3 mm). Sparse — flowers infrequently compared to T. serpyllum. 3 weeks. Bee- and butterfly-visited.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pale pink, tiny, 0.1 inch (3 mm), sparse — flowers infrequently and sparsely compared to T. serpyllum; June-JulyFoliage Description
Gray-green to silver, tiny, elliptic, 0.1-0.2 inch (2-5 mm), densely covered in soft woolly hairs; the woolly texture is the primary feature; lightly aromatic when walked on; evergreen year-roundGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun (6-12 hours). Well-drained sandy, chalky, or rocky soil pH 6.0-8.0. Sharp drainage critical — crown rot in humid wet conditions. Drought-tolerant. Tolerates light foot traffic. Not culinary. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 5-8.Pruning
Trim edges in early spring (March-April) to maintain tidy form. Remove any brown or rotted patches. No shearing needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons