Thymus praecox
Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is a ground cover plant that reaches 10 cm × 30 cm after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about HUF 1,400.
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 flowers and is full of bees. Use it between stepping stones, in a rock garden, on top of a retaining wall or on a dry bank; it takes occasional treading, but it only lasts in full sun and sharply drained soil and rots in a damp spot. The names of creeping thymes are muddled in the trade: the same dwarf and red-flowered varieties are often sold as Thymus serpyllum as well.
| Group | Ground cover |
| Light | Full sun |
| Size after 10 years | 10 cm × 30 cm |
| Ultimate size | 5–15 cm × 10–30 cm |
| Hardiness | down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Flowering | May–September, pink, purple, white, red |
| Water need | Low |
| Drought tolerance | High |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Root aggressiveness | Low |
| Suckering | no |
| Spreading | Low |
| Distance from buildings | no data |
| Distance from paving | no data |
| Litter | not typical |
| Planting distance | 20 cm |
| For dogs | no data |
| For cats | no data |
| For children | Non-toxic (uncertain) |
| Typical price | from about HUF 1,400 |
Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.
The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.
|
Size
|
Typical price
|
|---|---|
| size not stated | approx. HUF 1,400 |
Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made
Besides the cookies the site needs to work, we would like to use analytics and advertising cookies (Google, Facebook), if you allow it. Details