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Any time is a good time to grow thyme. Its true. There are over 300 thyme varieties in the mint family of Lamiaceae, of which thyme is a member. All have been prized for centuries for their fragrance, flavor, and ornamental habit.
With this dizzying array of thyme varieties, there is a possible specimen for nearly every climate and landscape. Keep reading about the types of thyme plants you can grow.
Thyme is a staple herb in many gardens valued for its culinary medicinal, and ornamental qualities. Two of the most popular thyme varieties are creeping thyme and elfin thyme. But what exactly is the difference between these two types of thyme, and how do you know which is better for your garden?
An Overview of Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is a low-growing, spreading thyme variety that forms a dense, carpet-like mat of foliage and flowers. As its name suggests, it creeps along the ground rather than growing upright.
Some key features of creeping thyme
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Growth habit: Low, dense, spreading growth that “creeps” along the ground. Grows just 2-4 inches tall.
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Foliage: Small rounded, bright green leaves that form a dense mat covering the ground.
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Flowers: Produces clusters of tiny pink, purple, or white flowers in summer. Very attractive to bees and butterflies.
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Scent Releases a pleasant thyme scent when crushed or brushed against
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Uses: Excellent groundcover, borders, walkways. Also used for cooking.
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Hardiness: Very cold hardy, tolerates light foot traffic. Evergreen in mild climates.
Creeping thyme grows vigorously and spreads quickly to form a carpet-like mat. It can cover an area up to 2 feet wide in a single season. The dense foliage suppresses weeds and provides great erosion control.
An Overview of Elfin Thyme
Elfin thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Elfin’) is a cultivar of creeping thyme selected for its especially petite foliage and habit. It is nearly identical to regular creeping thyme but stays shorter and more compact.
Key attributes of elfin thyme:
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Growth habit: Extremely low, tight, compact growth form. Reaches just 1-2 inches tall.
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Foliage: Tiny rounded leaves form dense cushions of foliage.
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Flowers: Profuse clusters of pink or lilac flowers in summer.
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Scent: Same pleasant thyme fragrance as creeping thyme.
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Uses: Rock gardens, walkways, fairy gardens, ornamental edging.
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Hardiness: Very cold hardy and heat tolerant. Handles light foot traffic.
Elfin thyme has all the virtues of regular creeping thyme but in an even tinier, denser package. It grows slowly into an extra compact mound or cushion just 1-2 inches tall. The petite size and tidier habit make it a perfect choice for walkways, rock gardens, and ornamental edging.
Key Differences Between the Two Thymes
While elfin thyme and creeping thyme share many traits, there are a few key differences:
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Size and growth habit: The most obvious difference is size. Elfin thyme reaches just 1-2 inches tall, while creeping thyme grows 2-4 inches tall. Elfin thyme also has a tighter, denser, more compact growth habit.
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Speed of growth: Creeping thyme is faster growing and spreads more vigorously. Elfin thyme is slower growing with a tidier, better-behaved habit.
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Ornamental value: The extremely petite size and tidy form of elfin thyme give it better ornamental value for edging, rock gardens, fairy gardens, and walkways. Creeping thyme has a wilder, looser habit.
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Culinary use: Both can be used for cooking, but creeping thyme is easier to harvest due to its larger size. Elfin thyme is so compact it can be tricky to harvest.
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Price: Elfin thyme is harder to propagate and produce, so it is usually more expensive than ordinary creeping thyme.
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Cold hardiness: Both varieties are extremely cold tolerant, but creeping thyme may have a slight edge in cold hardiness.
Which Variety is Best For Your Garden?
When choosing between creeping thyme vs elfin thyme, there are a few factors to consider:
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Purpose: If you mainly want thyme for cooking, creeping thyme will give you larger, easier to harvest leaves. For ornamental appeal, elfin thyme is the clear winner.
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Other plants: Creeping thyme pairs well with taller plants like flowers and shrubs where it can serve as living mulch. Elfin thyme is best surrounded by very short plants so its petite form doesn’t get lost.
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Growing conditions: In hot, dry sites with poor soil, creeping thyme may perform better. For cooler coastal areas, elfin thyme will thrive. Both handle drought and poor soil well.
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Maintenance: Creeping thyme requires a bit more maintenance to keep it contained. Elfin thyme’s tidy form needs minimal care.
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Budget: Due to the higher cost of elfin thyme, creeping thyme is the more budget-friendly option for covering large areas. But elfin thyme is worth splurging on for accent areas.
No matter which variety you choose, adding thyme is sure to be a great decision. Its beauty, fragrance, and versatility make it an essential for many gardeners. With proper selection and care, you’ll enjoy years of satisfaction from this classic hardy herb.
Tips for Growing Creeping Thyme and Elfin Thyme
Here are some useful tips to get the most out of your thyme plantings:
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Choose a site with full sun and very well-drained soil. Thyme thrives on neglect and hardly needs any watering once established.
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Space plants 10-12 inches apart to allow room for growth. Elfin thyme can be planted 8 inches apart.
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Cut back lightly after flowering to encourage new growth and a dense habit, especially with creeping thyme.
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Shear elfin thyme lightly in spring to remove any errant long shoots and maintain its compact cushion.
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To propagate, take 4-6 inch cuttings in early summer. Plant in sand or vermiculite until roots form.
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Protect thyme from excessive winter moisture, which can cause rot. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Harvest thyme by pinching off leaf tips. Only take 1/3 of the plant at a time to keep it healthy.
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Remove small amounts of dead leaves and stems by hand to prevent buildup. Avoid disturbing the roots.
With its beauty, fragrance, and versatility, thyme is an essential herb for many gardeners. Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy a thriving, long-lasting thyme planting.
How to Care for Different Types of Thyme
Most thyme varieties are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9 but tend to dislike hot, humid summers or overly wet conditions. Also, most varieties of thyme prefer full sun and well-drained soil. With a little research and even with adverse conditions, however, there are sure to be various types of thyme plants that are suitable for growth in those areas.
Avoid fertilizing thyme varieties as they tend to become leggy and weak. Types of thyme plants cultivated for culinary use should be replaced every three years or so to prevent woody stems and promote the desirable tender leaf production.
Most varieties of thyme are susceptible to overwatering, and many varieties of thyme tolerate or even thrive amid moderate to severe pruning.
All varieties of thyme are easy to propagate via cuttings, division, and seed and with their low growing habit–less than 15 inches (38 cm.) tall, this semi-evergreen is appropriate for groundcover or for growing in an herb garden, window box, or pots.
Many thyme varieties have a lovely spreading habit and will also look wonderful peeking between pavers or stones in a patio or walkway or in a rocky wall while being tolerant of foot traffic. Others have a more upright growth pattern and do well as stand-alone specimens in the garden or in pots, either alone or mixed with other plants or herbs.Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
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Uses for Different Types of Thyme
Highly aromatic with tiny leaves and tubular-shaped flowers forming in dense groups, all different types of thyme are attractive to bees; and the honey made from bees who dine on thyme blooms rivals that of the finest lavender honey.
Of course, thyme varieties are sought for cooking and used classically in “bouquet garni” in stews, soups, meat, fish, compound butter, eggs, dressings, and vegetable dishes.
Thyme pairs exquisitely with lemon, garlic, and basil and can be used either fresh or dried in any of the above or put sprigs in oil or vinegar to infuse the flavor.
The essential oils of many varieties of thyme plants are used in colognes, soaps, lotions, and even candles. Dried thyme is lovely in sachets. Thyme leaves may be harvested either before or after blooming and is one of the few herbs where using dried or fresh seems to matter little in the flavoring of foods. However, it is slow to release its oils, so add it earlier in the cooking process.
Red creeping thyme and ground cover thyme varieties
FAQ
Is creeping thyme the same as Elfin Thyme?
Elfin thyme is a specific, miniature cultivar of creeping thyme, known for its very compact size and dense mat-forming habit.
What is the downside of creeping thyme?
One of the biggest downsides of creeping thyme as a lawn alternative is that it doesn’t stand up to heavy foot traffic like turf does.Apr 5, 2025
Is Elfin Thyme invasive?
No, Elfin thyme is not considered invasive.
What is the difference between thyme and creeping thyme?
Creeping thyme and regular thyme (often common thyme or culinary thyme) are both types of thyme plants, but they differ significantly in their growth habit and primary uses. Creeping thyme is a low-growing, spreading groundcover, while common thyme is an upright, shrub-like herb.