Pollinator plant

Wild Thyme

Thymus serpyllum

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

37 names · 28 languages
EnglishYour language
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Other languages (27)
Dutch
  • Kleine tijm[2][3]
  • Wilde tijm
French
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Belarusian
  • Чабор звычайны[3]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 亚洲百里香[3]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 歐百里香[3]
Croatian
  • Majčina dušica[3]
  • Poljski timijan[3]
Czech
  • mateřídouška úzkolistá[3]
Danish
  • Smalbladet timian[3]
Estonian
  • nõmm-liivatee[3]
Finnish
  • kangasajuruoho[3]
German
Greek
  • Αγριοθύμαρο[3]
Hungarian
  • keskenylevelű kakukkfű[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • ヨウシュイブキジャコウソウ[3]
Latvian
  • Mazais mārsils[3]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis čiobrelis[3]
Norwegian
  • småtimian[3]
Polish
  • Macierzanka piaskowa[3]
Romanian
  • Cimbrișor[3]
Russian
  • Тимьян ползучий[3]
Slovak
  • materina dúška úzkolistá[3]
Spanish
Swedish
  • backtimjan[3]
Turkish
  • yabani kekik[3]
Ukrainian
  • Чебрець повзучий[3]
Sources & name notes (3)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Thymus serpyllum — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Wild Thyme — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Breckland Thyme — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Creeping Thyme — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Mother of Thyme — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Thymus serpyllum.
[2] Thymus serpyllum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • wild thyme — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Kleine tijm — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • serpolet — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Sand-Thymian — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Breckland thyme — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • creeping thyme — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Serpol — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Serpolet commun — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • thym sauvage — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • thym serpolet — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Serpillo — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Timo serpillo — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
[3] Thymus serpyllum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • wild thyme — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Kleine tijm — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • serpolet — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Sand-Thymian — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Breckland thyme — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • creeping thyme — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Serpol — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Serpolet commun — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • thym sauvage — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • thym serpolet — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Serpillo — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Timo serpillo — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • kangasajuruoho — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • mateřídouška úzkolistá — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • nõmm-liivatee — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Smalbladet timian — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Тимьян ползучий — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • småtimian — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Serpoll — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Paprastasis čiobrelis — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • backtimjan — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Αγριοθύμαρο — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • materina dúška úzkolistá — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • 亚洲百里香 — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Majčina dušica — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Poljski timijan — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • yabani kekik — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Macierzanka piaskowa — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Cimbrișor — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Чебрець повзучий — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Чабор звычайны — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • 歐百里香 — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • Mazais mārsils — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • keskenylevelű kakukkfű — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
  • ヨウシュイブキジャコウソウ — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 322051; Thymus serpyllum.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Botanical family
Lamiaceae

Genus-level classification for Thymus; this does not confirm the complete catalogue name.

Sources [1]
Taxonomy
NC State Extension publishes a profile under Thymus serpyllum.

Profile-name match; no accepted-name status is asserted.

Sources [2]
Mature height
0.05–0.08 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.08–0.25 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Creeping; Dense; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Semi-evergreen

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry; Very Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Northern Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous
Size
Small
Dimensions
0.10 m high × 0.30 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Evergreen

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
5-9
Moisture
Well-drained, Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Tea
Functions
Cosmetic, Essential oil, Fungicide, Repellent, Pollinator plant, Ground cover, Fragrant
Edibility
4 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

Thyme leaves can be added raw to salads or cooked dishes as a flavoring. Thyme retains its flavor well when slow-cooked. To dry the leaves, the plants should be harvested in early or late summer, just before the flowers open, and the leaves should be dried quickly. You can also make an aromatic tea from the leaves.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Thymus — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 3543113; ID 8W474; rank genus; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Thymus serpyllum — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: TaxonomyMature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Main botanical heading (h1)
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .