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Photograph of Creeping thyme
Photo: Wikipedia

Creeping thyme

Thymus serpyllum

  • Layer 5 · Ground cover
  • Ground cover

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Thymus serpyllum is a creeping, perennial subshrub native to much of Europe and North Africa. It forms a dense mat that helps to suppress weeds and protect the soil against erosion and moisture loss. In a food forest, it acts as an excellent ground-cover plant while its flowers attract numerous pollinators.

It is harvested now — July is one of the harvest months.

See which trees the creeping thyme grows well with

Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.

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Needs

  • Water: Low
  • Light: Full sun
  • Size: Creeping subshrub up to 0.1 m
  • Mature diameter: 0.5 m
  • Soils: Loam, Sandy, Limestone
  • Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean, Mountain / cold

Calendar

  1. January
  2. February
  3. March — Planting
  4. April — Planting
  5. May — Harvest
  6. June — Harvest
  7. July — Harvest
  8. August — Harvest
  9. September — Planting
  10. October — Planting
  11. November
  12. December
  • Harvest
  • Planting

Medicinal use: Traditionally used in infusions as an expectorant and antiseptic to treat respiratory problems.

Where to buy

Grows well with

Central trees this plant has already been paired with.

Related plants

Other species in the same layer or with the same function.

It is harvested now — July is one of the harvest months.

See which trees the creeping thyme grows well with

Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.

No account needed.

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