A mature Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Border · Container · Rock wall · Slope · Small space · Walkway · Cottage · Drought tolerant

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Creeping Thyme

Thymus serpyllum · Perennial

Creeping Thyme is a fast-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 4-8, that matures to about 4 in × 4–12 in. It does best in full sun with low water needs in well-drained, occasionally-dry and very-dry soil. Expect pink and purple blooms in summer. It attracts bees and butterflies, stands up well to deer, drought and dry soil and grows happily in containers.

USDA zones: 4-8
Sun: Full sun
Water: Low
Mature size: 4 in × 4–12 in
Growth rate: Fast
Maintenance: Low
Soil: Well-drained, Occasionally-dry, Very-dry
Bloom color: Pink, Purple
Bloom season: Summer
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies
Tough against: Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Poor soil, Rabbits, Salt
Native to: Northern Europe

Will it survive your winters?

We score Creeping Thyme’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8