# Creeping Thyme (*Thymus praecox subsp. arcticus (Durand) Jalas*)

Creeping thyme is a low-growing herb with tiny, aromatic leaves that release a pleasant scent when stepped on. It is often used as ground cover in gardens and attracts bees with its small pink flowers.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens, Rocky areas
- **Also known as:** Mother of Thyme

![Creeping Thyme](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Thymus_serpyllum1.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thymus_serpyllum1.jpg)

## Appearance

The Creeping Thyme is a low-growing plant forming dense, evergreen mats of tiny, oval green leaves. In late spring, it bursts into a carpet of small, delicate pink to purplish flowers that stand out against its foliage, creating a soft, colorful groundcover.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Lamiales
- **Family:** Lamiaceae
- **Genus:** Thymus

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming, and Greeks burned it for courage!
- Its tiny leaves stay green all year long, providing beautiful color even through winter!
- Just a gentle touch releases a wonderful, spicy scent from its leaves for you to enjoy!
- This tough plant can grow right between paving stones, where others often struggle!

## Special abilities

- **Ground Hugger:** Creeping Thyme has a spreading growth habit that allows it to form a dense mat, helping it to suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion.
- **Drought Buster:** Creeping Thyme can thrive in dry conditions because its small leaves and waxy coating help it conserve precious water, ensuring survival.
- **Scented Shield:** Creeping Thyme has special oils that release a fragrant aroma when its leaves are crushed, helping to deter some foraging pests.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 2-10 cm
- **Spread:** 30-90 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.6 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from flowers.
- **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits flowers for sweet nectar.
- **Symbiotic with:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — Cultivated for beauty, scent, and culinary use.

## Traits

- [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
- [Groundcover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/groundcover): Groundcover plants are low-growing vegetation that spreads horizontally to cover the ground, often suppressing weeds and preventing soil erosion.
- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

## Collections

- [Herbs](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/herbs)
- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Enjoy looking at creeping thyme, but avoid picking or eating plants from the garden without an adult.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Creeping Thyme?

Compare leaf shape and arrangement, stem structure, flowers and growth habit. Some poisonous plants look a lot like kitchen herbs, so looks alone never prove a plant is safe to eat. Herb Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Creeping Thyme?

2-10 cm

### How wide does Creeping Thyme spread?

30-90 cm

### How big are the flowers on Creeping Thyme?

0.3-0.6 cm

### When does Creeping Thyme bloom?

Late spring to early summer

### Is Creeping Thyme edible?

Yes

### Is Creeping Thyme toxic?

None

### What is Creeping Thyme's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Creeping Thyme: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thyme)