Splendens Creeping Thyme

Thymus praecox ‘Splendens’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen to Semi-Evergreen Groundcover

Height or Length at Maturity: .25″ (1/4″)

Width at Maturity: 2’+
Spacing: 12-18″ apart for mass planting; 10-12″ apart to fill gaps between stepping stones

Growth Habit / Form: Low, Mat-Forming, Dense, Spreading/Trailing

Growth Rate: Fast

Flower Color: Lavender
Flower Type: Single

Flower Size: Small
Flowering Period: Spring

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Berries: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Afternoon Sun

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Drainage: Well Drained

Soil pH: 6.5 – 7.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention, Butterflies

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Foot Traffic

Description

Splendens Creeping Thyme forms a low and dense carpet of tiny, shiny dark green leaves that become smothered in lavender flowers in spring. The low mat of 1/4″ inch high foliage is highly aromatic when stepped on or crushed. Excellent as a groundcover or between stepping stones and around boulders. The oil from the leaves can serve as an antiseptic, deodorant or disinfectant and can be taken while the plant is fresh or dried.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to less than an inch tall and spreading 24 or more inches wide, Splendens Thyme tolerates foot traffic well so is perfect for use to fill the gaps between stepping stones or as a groundcover or underplanting for shrubs, roses, perennials and small trees, such as Japanese maples. Very nice around and growing over boulders. Flowering bulbs will pop right through it in spring. Also serves nicely as a soil cover in container gardens. A fine addition to rock gardens, herb gardens and the Xeriscape (low water needs).

Suggested Spacing: 12 to 18 inches apart for mass planting; 10 to 12 inches to fill gaps between stepping stones

How To Measure Total Square Feet Of A Planting Area

How Many Plants Needed To Cover A Planting Area?

Growing Preferences

When planted right and in the right spot, Splendens Thyme is easy to grow. It grows best in a light, lightly moist but well-drained soil and full sun. A little shade is okay. Will tolerate rainy periods but constantly soggy or wet soil is a killer. So make sure to plant in a well-drained site.

Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tabs above on desktop monitors and below on mobile phones.

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

Wilson Bros. is my GO TO place for mail order nursery items! The plants are ALWAYS healthy, of good size, & in great condition!! They are packaged properly so nothing is harmed in shipping. I have tried a few different places before finding Wilson Bros. & they weren’t even close in quality, size, & condition. In fact have lost several plants that came from other places!! I’ve been gardening for years & know how to transplant but there was no saving these plants from other suppliers! They were super small & overpriced too! Wilson Bros provides good sized plants that transplant well. Everything I’ve received is doing fabulous!!———————————–Wow!! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks so much for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Arrived in good shape. All planted seem to be doing well.————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Healthy, beautiful plants at a cost much less than other nurseries. We’ll definitely be doing business here again.—————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review and the kind words! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG