Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Thymus are evergreen woody-based perennials, shrub or sub-shrubs with small aromatic leaves and terminal whorls of small, 2-lipped, tubular, purple, pink or white flowers in late spring or summer
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in most well-drained alkaline to neutral soils in full sun. Suitable for rock garden or paving crevices, where they release their fragrance when trodden on
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring. Semi-hardwood cuttings may be taken in mid- to late-summer although some bottom heat may be required
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Gravel garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back hard after flowering to retain compactness
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.