Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Thymus serpyllum (Thyme)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.25m
Max height
Max height
0.45m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Thymus serpyllum
Other names
Thyme, Creeping thyme
Genus
Thymus Thymus
Species
T. serpyllum - T. serpyllum is a mat-forming, evergreen subshrub with aromatic, linear, mid-green leaves and clusters of purple flowers in summer.
Thymus serpyllum is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic (thyme).
Habit
Mat Forming, Spreading
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Seed, Root cuttings, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Thymus serpyllum (Thyme) will reach a height of 0.25m and a spread of 0.45m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Between paving stones, City, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Edging, Flavouring food and drinks, Beds and borders, Gravel, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Rock, Wildlife, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grow in moist, free-draining soil in full sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Thymus serpyllum
Other names
Thyme, Creeping thyme
Genus
Thymus Thymus
Species
T. serpyllum - T. serpyllum is a mat-forming, evergreen subshrub with aromatic, linear, mid-green leaves and clusters of purple flowers in summer.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic (thyme).
Habit
Mat Forming, Spreading
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Seed, Root cuttings, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Thymus serpyllum (Thyme) will reach a height of 0.25m and a spread of 0.45m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Between paving stones, City, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Edging, Flavouring food and drinks, Beds and borders, Gravel, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Rock, Wildlife, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grow in moist, free-draining soil in full sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Designed by Steve Dimmock & Paula Holland. The inspiration for the garden came from a personal, temporary experience of sight loss and to mark 150 years of RNIB in 2018. read more
By garden designers Anna Benn and Hannah Gardner. A Russian-themed garden based on the country estate near Moscow where Anton Chekhov, one of Russia’s greatest writers, wrote his famous play … read more
By garden designer Tom Massey. The Lemon Tree Trust, a UK and US-based not-for-profit organisation, has been working in the refugee camps of Kurdistan in Northern Iraq since 2015. This summer it… read more
By London and Sussex based garden designer Jo Thompson. The Wedgewood Garden is a striking space for a strong, successful woman. read more
By garden designers James Callicott and Tony Wagstaff. Inspired by the coastline of Southend-on-Sea, the pier and the surrounding beach, the Southend Council ‘By The Sea’ garden offers a… read more
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Thymus serpyllum
There are 3 active discussions about Thymus serpyllum (Thyme)
View all discussions