Wild Thyme | Thymus serpyllum

Description

Botanical Information: Wild Thyme

A mat-forming dwarf evergreen shrub which can grow up to 10cm tall. In summer, wild thyme sends up erect flowering shoots filled with pink or mauve flowers. 

Habitat

Typically found forming large mats in sandy-soiled heaths, rocky outcrops, hills, banks, roadsides and sandy banks. Wild thyme is a hardy plant which will happily grow in most sunny and well-drained spots. It doesn’t do well in damp, shady places though. If you aren’t sure – drop us a line and we can give you an idea if your spot is a suitable location.

Benefits to Wildlife

Although it’s both tasty and beneficial for humans, bees and butterflies will swarm to its nectar-rich flowers. If you have ever seen wild thyme in the wild, you will know that the ground can look like it’s moving with the number of bees buzzing around the plant! The larvae of the common blue butterfly and the large blue butterfly both use wild thyme as a food source (though if you have large blue we are very jealous).

Conservation Status in the UK

Wild thyme is doing well in the UK and isn’t facing any major conservation worries. It can be seen thriving in coastal sand dunes along the north east coast of Scotland, where we source most of our seed from (sustainably).

Ease of Growing

Plant wild thyme in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Initially, it will need a good water to help it establish, but after this, it is fairly drought-tolerant once established. It is an excellent plant for filling in spaces with its mat-forming growth. Don’t worry if you have to step on it, it’s a resilient species and will release its fragrance in return.

More Information

The Wildlife Trusts

Wild Food UK

Species found in the same habitat

Kidney-Vetch | Anthyllis vulneraria

Meadow Saxifrage | Saxifraga granulata

Perennial Sow Thistle | Sonchus arvensis

All Wildflowers