Thymus, Creeping Thyme, Elfin Thyme 'Elfin'

Thymusserpyllum

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Thymus (TY-muss)
Species
serpyllum (ser-PIE-lum)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Shiny/Glossy
Textured
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pink
Lavender
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Groundcovers
Herbs
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
By simple layering
By serpentine layering
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Brea, California

Canyon Country, California

Los Angeles, California

Merced, California

Oakley, California

Richmond, California

Stockton, California

Grand Junction, Colorado

Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Cordele, Georgia

Decatur, Georgia

Marietta, Georgia

Cherry Valley, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Louisville, Kentucky

Taylorsville, Kentucky

Salem, Massachusetts

Billings, Montana

Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Bronx, New York

North Tonawanda, New York

Sag Harbor, New York

Brevard, North Carolina

Fuquay Varina, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Portland, Oregon

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Conway, South Carolina

Clinton, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee

Austin, Texas

Boerne, Texas

Hereford, Texas

Stinnett, Texas

Wells, Texas

Farmington, Utah

Ogden, Utah

South Jordan, Utah

Newport News, Virginia

Wytheville, Virginia

Kalama, Washington

La Conner, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Spokane, Washington

Great Cacapon, West Virginia

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin

Stoughton, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

14
positives
3
neutrals
2
negatives
Sort By:
Sort By:
P
Los Angeles, CA | July 2015 | positive

Zone 10 Northeast Los Angeles - THRIVING. It seems to take over a year for the plant to just take hold. After 1-2 years it takes off and ...Read More

L
Salina, KS | April 2014 | positive

I live in kansas and planted 10 elfin thyme plants last fall. All but one is already green. The only problem is I want more. It doesnt...Read More

V
Alberta, AB (Zone 3a) | August 2013 | positive

As a Canadian I'm always looking for VERY hardy plants that are drought-tolerant. This certainly fits the bill!
I only water my pe...Read More

Z
Z
Salem, MA | July 2011 | positive

I got some this spring (2011), and it has done well in my Salem, MA garden. It has probably tripled in spread in 3-4 months. The only gli...Read More

L
Raleigh, NC | May 2011 | neutral

I live in Raleigh North Carolina and bought 21-4 inch pots of Elfin Thyme to begin filling in a pathway in the family herb garden. I plan...Read More

F
Riverside, CA | May 2011 | neutral

I have a question, going to be building a patio and underneath I was going to pave it with concrete pavers and mortar it with elfin. I li...Read More

L
Portland, OR (Zone 8b) | June 2009 | positive

Seems to do exactly as advertised in the Portland Oregon area! I'm guessing most folks picked up some of the copious Stepables sold aroun...Read More

E
Annapolis, MD | June 2009 | negative

I have not had much luck here in Maryland.Tried it in several different places and it always seems to just turn brown and die....I am DON...Read More

A
Seattle, WA | May 2009 | positive

I love this tiny plant for covering the dirt in sunny places. In Seattle it is zero maintenance and always looks adorable.

S
Oakley, CA (Zone 8b) | February 2009 | positive

I planted Creeping Thyme, Elfin Thyme and Wooley Thyme in my front yard in full sun, under my Gaura and Fountain Grass and it grows great...Read More

T
T
Los Angeles, CA | January 2009 | negative

As much as I LOVE the way this plant looks -- it doesn't grow well in the hot sun of inland Los Angeles.

A neighbor had so...Read More

L
L
Tulsa, OK | June 2007 | positive

This has to be the most adorable plant I've ever seen. I bought three small pots on a whim at my local nursery, and still haven't plante...Read More

P
Fort Walton Beach, FL (Zone 8b) | August 2006 | positive

This plant has been in the pot I bought it in for a long time. It must be very tough as it has survived being knocked over and laying on ...Read More

R
Boerne new zone 30, TX (Zone 8b) | July 2006 | neutral

Nice plant for spreading.

Will not grow in texas full sun without daily water.

G
Wheatfield, NY (Zone 6a) | July 2006 | positive

I grow several varieties of creeping thymes and this one is a pleasure. I have done nothing special. It is growing, spreading and flowe...Read More

P
P
Moncks Corner, SC (Zone 8b) | June 2006 | positive

grows very very flat. I would love to have more as a steppable, but I dont think I would have the heart to step on something so pretty! I...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | January 2006 | positive

This is such an an adorable little Thyme; it is one of my favorites! It grows almost flat. I got it as a Stepable that can be walked on...Read More

H
Santa Clarita, CA (Zone 9a) | April 2005 | positive

We use elfin thyme as groundcover between stepping stones. We just planted a flat and it is growing rapidly and flowering--within a month...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | August 2002 | positive

The most unusual growth style of all thymes I have encountered, it has stemlets with larger leaves at the base, tapering to tiny pointed ...Read More

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