- Botanical name: Thymus serpyllum
- Common name: Creeping thyme
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Alpine, Herb, Perennial, Evergreen
Pink
Green
Thyme is one of the best-known and most widely used herbs. It’s a striking plant with purple flowers, attracting bees and other insects. It grows into a spreading carpet of tight, shrubby growth and is ideal for filling in crevices in rock gardens and patios. It’s also suitable for growing in pots with other Mediterranean herbs, such as oregano and rosemary. The foliage releases a strong aroma when crushed or brushed against.
Wild or creeping thyme, Thymus serpyllum, is native to a wide area of Europe and Asia, including the UK. It’s a good choice for ground cover in sunny sites, including in gravel and rock gardens. You can even use it to create an aromatic thyme lawn.
For best results grow Thymus serpyllum in full sun and well-drained soil. Trim after flowering to keep it compact.
How to grow Thymus serpyllum
-
Plant size
10cm height
50cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Chalky / alkaline / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do Sow in June |
J
Do Sow in July |
A
Do Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do not Take cuttings in June |
J
Do not Take cuttings in July |
A
Do Take cuttings in August |
S
Do Take cuttings in September |
O
Do Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
Thymus serpyllum and wildlife
Thymus serpyllum is known for attracting bees, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It is a caterpillar food plant and has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Thymus serpyllum poisonous?
Thymus serpyllum has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
