Thyme is a staple herb in many gardens valued for its culinary medicinal, and ornamental qualities. Two of the most popular thyme varieties are creeping thyme and elfin thyme. But what exactly is the difference between these two types of thyme, and how do you know which is better for your garden?
An Overview of Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is a low-growing, spreading thyme variety that forms a dense, carpet-like mat of foliage and flowers. As its name suggests, it creeps along the ground rather than growing upright.
Some key features of creeping thyme
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Low, dense, spreading growth that “creeps” along the ground is how it grows. Grows just 2-4 inches tall.
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Foliage: Small rounded, bright green leaves that form a dense mat covering the ground.
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Flowers: Produces clusters of tiny pink, purple, or white flowers in summer. Very attractive to bees and butterflies.
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Scent Releases a pleasant thyme scent when crushed or brushed against
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Uses: Excellent groundcover, borders, walkways. Also used for cooking.
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Hardiness: Very cold hardy, tolerates light foot traffic. Evergreen in mild climates.
Creeping thyme grows vigorously and spreads quickly to form a carpet-like mat. It can cover an area up to 2 feet wide in a single season. The dense foliage suppresses weeds and provides great erosion control.
An Overview of Elfin Thyme
Elfin thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Elfin’) is a cultivar of creeping thyme selected for its especially petite foliage and habit. It is nearly identical to regular creeping thyme but stays shorter and more compact.
Key attributes of elfin thyme:
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Growth habit: Extremely low, tight, compact growth form. Reaches just 1-2 inches tall.
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Foliage: Tiny rounded leaves form dense cushions of foliage.
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Flowers: Profuse clusters of pink or lilac flowers in summer.
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Scent: Same pleasant thyme fragrance as creeping thyme.
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Uses: Rock gardens, walkways, fairy gardens, ornamental edging.
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Hardiness: Very cold hardy and heat tolerant. Handles light foot traffic.
All the good things about regular creeping thyme are in elfin thyme, which is even smaller and denser. It slowly grows into a very small cushion or mound that is only 1 to 2 inches high. It’s perfect for walkways, rock gardens, and decorative edging because it’s small and stays neat.
Key Differences Between the Two Thymes
While elfin thyme and creeping thyme share many traits, there are a few key differences:
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Size and growth habit: The most obvious difference is size. Elfin thyme reaches just 1-2 inches tall, while creeping thyme grows 2-4 inches tall. Elfin thyme also has a tighter, denser, more compact growth habit.
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Speed of growth: Creeping thyme is faster growing and spreads more vigorously. Elfin thyme is slower growing with a tidier, better-behaved habit.
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Decorative use: Because elfin thyme is so small and neat, it is better used as a border plant in rock gardens, fairy gardens, and walkways. Creeping thyme has a wilder, looser habit.
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Culinary use: Both can be used for cooking, but creeping thyme is easier to harvest due to its larger size. Elfin thyme is so compact it can be tricky to harvest.
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Price: Elfin thyme is harder to propagate and produce, so it is usually more expensive than ordinary creeping thyme.
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Cold hardiness: Both types can handle very cold temperatures, but creeping thyme may be a little more cold-hardy.
Which Variety is Best For Your Garden?
When choosing between creeping thyme vs elfin thyme, there are a few factors to consider:
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Purpose: If you mainly want thyme for cooking, creeping thyme will give you larger, easier to harvest leaves. For ornamental appeal, elfin thyme is the clear winner.
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Other plants: Creeping thyme pairs well with taller plants like flowers and shrubs where it can serve as living mulch. Elfin thyme is best surrounded by very short plants so its petite form doesn’t get lost.
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Growing conditions: In hot, dry sites with poor soil, creeping thyme may perform better. For cooler coastal areas, elfin thyme will thrive. Both handle drought and poor soil well.
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Maintenance: Creeping thyme requires a bit more maintenance to keep it contained. Elfin thyme’s tidy form needs minimal care.
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Budget: Due to the higher cost of elfin thyme, creeping thyme is the more budget-friendly option for covering large areas. But elfin thyme is worth splurging on for accent areas.
No matter which variety you choose, adding thyme is sure to be a great decision. Its beauty, fragrance, and versatility make it an essential for many gardeners. With proper selection and care, you’ll enjoy years of satisfaction from this classic hardy herb.
Tips for Growing Creeping Thyme and Elfin Thyme
Here are some useful tips to get the most out of your thyme plantings:
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Choose a site with full sun and very well-drained soil. Thyme thrives on neglect and hardly needs any watering once established.
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Space plants 10-12 inches apart to allow room for growth. Elfin thyme can be planted 8 inches apart.
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Cut back lightly after flowering to encourage new growth and a dense habit, especially with creeping thyme.
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Shear elfin thyme lightly in spring to remove any errant long shoots and maintain its compact cushion.
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To propagate, take 4-6 inch cuttings in early summer. Plant in sand or vermiculite until roots form.
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Protect thyme from excessive winter moisture, which can cause rot. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Harvest thyme by pinching off leaf tips. Only take 1/3 of the plant at a time to keep it healthy.
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Remove small amounts of dead leaves and stems by hand to prevent buildup. Avoid disturbing the roots.
With its beauty, fragrance, and versatility, thyme is an essential herb for many gardeners. Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy a thriving, long-lasting thyme planting.
How to Care for Different Types of Thyme
Most types of thyme can grow in USDA zones 5 through 9, but they don’t like it when it’s too hot and humid or too wet. Also, most varieties of thyme prefer full sun and well-drained soil. With a little research and even with adverse conditions, however, there are sure to be various types of thyme plants that are suitable for growth in those areas.
Avoid fertilizing thyme varieties as they tend to become leggy and weak. Types of thyme plants cultivated for culinary use should be replaced every three years or so to prevent woody stems and promote the desirable tender leaf production.
Most varieties of thyme are susceptible to overwatering, and many varieties of thyme tolerate or even thrive amid moderate to severe pruning.
All varieties of thyme are easy to propagate via cuttings, division, and seed and with their low growing habit–less than 15 inches (38 cm. This plant is about 3 feet tall and is semi-evergreen. It can be used as groundcover or grown in a window box, herb garden, or pots.
Many types of thyme have a beautiful spreading habit. They also look great peeking out from between pavers or stones in a patio, walkway, or rocky wall, and they can handle being walked on. Some grow more straight up, and they do well as single plants in the garden or in pots, or they can be mixed with other herbs or plants. Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!.
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Uses for Different Types of Thyme
Highly aromatic with tiny leaves and tubular-shaped flowers forming in dense groups, all different types of thyme are attractive to bees; and the honey made from bees who dine on thyme blooms rivals that of the finest lavender honey.
Of course, thyme varieties are sought for cooking and used classically in “bouquet garni” in stews, soups, meat, fish, compound butter, eggs, dressings, and vegetable dishes.
Thyme pairs exquisitely with lemon, garlic, and basil and can be used either fresh or dried in any of the above or put sprigs in oil or vinegar to infuse the flavor.
The essential oils of many varieties of thyme plants are used in colognes, soaps, lotions, and even candles. Dried thyme is lovely in sachets. Thyme leaves may be harvested either before or after blooming and is one of the few herbs where using dried or fresh seems to matter little in the flavoring of foods. However, it is slow to release its oils, so add it earlier in the cooking process.
Red creeping thyme and ground cover thyme varieties
FAQ
Is creeping thyme the same as Elfin Thyme?
Elfin thyme is a specific, miniature cultivar of creeping thyme, known for its very compact size and dense mat-forming habit.
What is the downside of creeping thyme?
One of the biggest downsides of creeping thyme as a lawn alternative is that it doesn’t stand up to heavy foot traffic like turf does. Apr 5, 2025.
Is Elfin Thyme invasive?
No, Elfin thyme is not considered invasive.
What is the difference between thyme and creeping thyme?
Regular thyme, also known as common thyme or culinary thyme, and creeping thyme are both types of thyme plants, but they grow in very different ways and are used for very different things. Creeping thyme is a low-growing, spreading groundcover, while common thyme is an upright, shrub-like herb.