Creeping thyme, Mother of thyme
Thymus serpyllum

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A creeping herb. It is variable and lies along the ground. It forms mats and is 7-15 cm high. The stems are slender and creeping. The leaves are oval or narrow and softly hairy. They are 4-8 mm long. The flowers are pink or purple. They grow in rounded heads. There are many different cultivated varieties.

There are between 300 and 400 Thymus species. Contains flavonoids, tannins, terpenoid compounds, volatile oil (containing mainly thymol, carvacrol, p-cimen, linalool, α-pinene and other mono and sesquiterpenes (β-caryophyllenes, germacren D or nerolidol), phenolic acids rosemary) and flavonoids (quercitin, eriocitrin, luteolin, apigenin, serpyllin).

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is best in well-drained soils and in an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost. It suits plant hardiness zones 4-9. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andorra, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Central Asia, China, East Africa, Estonia, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), Eurasia, Hawaii, Hungary, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, North America, Norway, Pacific, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves and flowers are dried and used to prepare a drink. The shoots are used as flavouring. They are used fresh or dried as flavouring in salads, sauces, and other dishes.

Edible parts

Leaves, herb, spice, flowers, flowers - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by division.

Its other names

Local names

Balma jhar, Banajawain, Csombor, Cubra, Erbo dal marin, Kakukkbora, Kalandar zatar, Marizha, Marsils, Masho, Pinpyole, Rang sbur, Samon-phyu-yaing, Shakei, Timo selvatico, Wild thyme

Synonyms

Probably now Thymus praecox ssp. arcticus;