Creeping thyme vs Mountain rock cress

Creeping thyme and Mountain rock cress are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, pollinator friendly, flowers). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Creeping thyme

Thymus praecox 10 cm × 30 cm after 10 years

An evergreen, aromatic mat only a few centimetres tall that is covered in summer with pink, lilac or, depending on the variety, white or reddish…

Ground cover

Full sun

from about CZK 69

Mountain rock cress

Arabis caucasica 20 cm × 45 cm after 10 years

It forms a cushion of grey-green evergreen leaf rosettes that disappears in early spring under lightly scented white flowers, pink in some…

Ground cover

Full sun

from about CZK 49

Key differences

Mountain rock cress grows larger: 20 cm × 45 cm after ten years, against 10 cm × 30 cm for Creeping thyme.
Creeping thyme needs less care than Mountain rock cress.
Mountain rock cress is cheaper: about CZK 69 at the size usually planted, against about CZK 94 for Creeping thyme.

Which one to choose?

Creeping thyme is the better choice if space is tight or you have little time for care.

Mountain rock cress is the better choice if price matters.

Watch out for

Creeping thyme

In wet, heavy, poorly drained soil it dies of root rot, especially in winter. After a few years the middle of the mat can go bare; trimming after flowering or dividing it renews the plant. Weeds grow through easily until the mat has closed up. There are no serious pests, though slugs can occur.

Mountain rock cress

In heavy, wet soil it is lost to root rot, mainly in winter, and in damp, humid spots downy mildew and white rust attack the leaves. Hot summers in Central Europe stress it and it may thin out. Aphids and flea beetles can also damage it. If it is not cut back after flowering it grows leggy and bare and becomes short-lived.

The data side by side

Feature	Creeping thyme	Mountain rock cress
Group	Ground cover	Ground cover
Size after 10 years	10 cm × 30 cm	20 cm × 45 cm
Ultimate size	5–15 cm × 10–30 cm	15–30 cm × 30–50 cm
Growth rate	Medium	Medium
Light	Full sun	Full sun
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	High (uncertain)	Medium
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	May–September, pink, purple, white, red (uncertain)	March–May, white, pink
Water need	Low	Low
Drought tolerance	High	High
Maintenance	Low	Medium
Planting distance	20 cm	30 cm
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)	no data
Typical price	approx. CZK 94	approx. CZK 69

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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