$3.00–$8.75
In stockIn stock1
trefle.io · Taken Aug 1, 2020 by DV Ester (cc-by-sa)
Lamiaceae
Mother of thyme
Thymus praecox
Also known as Thymus serpyllum subsp. praecox, Wild thyme, Creeping thyme, Thymus serpyllum var. praecox
Sun Full SunWater ModerateCare Low
Native Plants · Edibles & Herbs · Groundcover · Aromatic · Thyme · Herb · Rock Garden · Drought Tolerant · Pollinator · Perennial · Creeping · Edging
Beginner-friendlyMedicinalAttracts pollinators
In stock at 5 nurseriesStock updated 9/6/2026
Mother of thyme is a spreading, aromatic ground cover that performs best in well-drained to dry soils with plenty of sun. It is very drought tolerant once established and only needs occasional watering, making it ideal for rock gardens, path edges, and slopes. Trim lightly after flowering to keep it compact and encourage fresh, fragrant growth.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water lightly, ensuring excellent drainage; allow soil to dry completely between waterings · Every 10-14 days; very infrequent once established
- Maintenance
- Low
- Cycle
- Perennial
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Spacing
- 12 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Flowers
- No
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, FøRoyar, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Illinois, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Moths
Sources: trefle
More Thymus
Related plants from the same genus
Buy this plant
5 nurseries carry it
Rainbow Ridge Growers
$4.00–$100.00Distance unavailable · 1740 Rainbow Valley Boulevard, Rainbow, CA 92028
RetailPickupDeliveryDelivery min $200
In stockIn stock1
$2.25–$55.00
In stockIn stock1
Temescal Canyon Plant Co.
$2.75–$8.00Distance unavailable · 21740 Temescal Canyon Rd, Corona, CA 92883
RetailPickup
In stockIn stock1
$4.50–$13.00
In stockIn stock1