Elfin Thyme

Elfin Thyme, Thymus serpyllum Elfin, is a miniature creeping thyme prized as one of the tiniest and tightest groundcover thymes available. It forms an extremely dense, slow-growing cushion only about 1 to 2 inches tall of minute deep green leaves, knitting into a compact mat perfect for miniature gardens, fairy gardens, tucking between flagstones, and edging where a very fine texture is wanted. In summer it produces small pale pink to lavender flowers that attract bees, though its main appeal is its neat, low, mounding form. Lightly aromatic, it is grown as an ornamental rather than a culinary herb. Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, Elfin Thyme needs full sun and sharply drained soil and tolerates light foot traffic and drought once established. It is propagated by division or cuttings and valued for its diminutive, tidy habit.