Thymus serpyllum
wild thyme
Europe and North Africa — from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and western Asia; dry grassland, rocky slopes, and heath
Overview
Thymus serpyllum is wild thyme (creeping thyme), a prostrate spreading evergreen perennial growing 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) tall and 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) wide. Magenta-pink to purple-pink flowers densely covering the foliage mat in June-August (7 weeks). Dark green tiny oval aromatic leaves 0.1-0.3 inch (3-8 mm). In Lamiaceae spp.. Serpyllum = creeping. Native to Europe and North Africa. Hardier than most creeping thymes (zone 4). Tolerates light to moderate foot traffic — releases thyme scent when walked on. The 7-week bloom and dense flower coverage distinguish T. serpyllum from T. pseudolanuginosus (woolly, sparse flowers). Mildly culinary. Crown rot in wet heavy soil — sharp drainage required. This drainage requirement is the primary cultural limitation. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 4-8. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate.
Native Range
Native to Europe and North Africa — from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and western Asia. Found in dry grassland, rocky slopes, and heath.Suggested Uses
Grown as a walkable ground cover between stepping stones, in rock gardens, over walls, and in containers of at least 1 gallon (3.8 L), spaced 12-24 inches (30-60 cm). Walkable. 7-week bloom. Sharp drainage. Non-toxic. Zones 4-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Summer (June-August). Magenta-pink to purple-pink 2-lipped flowers 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) densely covering the foliage mat. 7 weeks. Bee- and butterfly-visited.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Magenta-pink to purple-pink, tiny, 2-lipped, 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm), densely covering the foliage mat at peak bloom; June-August (7 weeks — one of the longest-blooming creeping thymes)Foliage Description
Dark green, tiny, oval, 0.1-0.3 inch (3-8 mm), strongly aromatic when walked on or crushed (thyme scent); the smooth (not woolly) leaf surface distinguishes this from T. pseudolanuginosus; 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 — crown rot in wet heavy soil. Drought-tolerant. Tolerates foot traffic. Shear lightly after bloom (July-August). Mildly culinary. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 4-8.Pruning
Shear lightly after the main bloom flush (July-August) to maintain a tight mat. This post-bloom shearing may encourage a secondary flush.Pruning Schedule
J
F
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A
M
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summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons