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Thymus praecox

Image of Thymus praecox

Michael Charters, www.calflora.net

Family

Lamiaceae

Botanical Name

Thymus praecox

Plant Common Name

Creeping Thyme, Mother-of-Thyme

General Description

Like most thyme species, this European native creeper is both culinarily delicious and ornamental. Creeping thyme is a low-growing, evergreen to semi-evergreen, mat-forming, subshrub grown for its fragrant herbal leaves and spring or summer display of lavender purple flowers. Many variants of this Mediterranean native are in cultivation, including white-flowered and dwarf cultivars.

Tiny, green leaves line the dense, twiggy stems of creeping thyme. In Mediterranean climates they are fully evergreen but may prove to be semi-evergreen in colder zones. Springtime brings a wealth of fragrant flower clusters that range in color from pale lavender to deep lavender purple. Bees, butterflies and other insect pollinators cloud around the small, two-lipped, nectar-filled blooms. Small seeds follow and may fall to the ground and self-sow.

Full to partial sun is needed to keep creeping thyme healthy and beautiful. It grows best in porous, gravelly or sandy soil with moderate fertility. When well established, this thyme is quite heat and drought tolerant. Plants can spread vigorously and may need to be cut back or divided from time to time.

Thyme is a must for the herb garden but also makes a perfect addition to rock gardens or as filler between paving stones where its fragrance is released when stepped on. The leaves can be used fresh or dry to season fish, meats or vegetables.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 5

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    3"-6" / 7.6cm - 15.2cm

  • Width

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer

  • Native To

    Europe, Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Turkey

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Mat-forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Purple, Lavender

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Edging, Edible, Groundcover, Herb / Vegetable, Rock Garden / Wall

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes