Thymus pulegioides

RHS Plant Profile

broad-leaved thyme

RHS

Other common names

downy thyme, greater wild thyme, large thyme

Synonyms

Thymus lanuginosus Mill., Thymus serpyllum subsp. lanuginosus

Herbs - Culinary Shrubs

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A small, spreading, evergreen subshrub, to 25cm tall, with strongly-aromatic, small green leaves. Upright spikes of tiny, lilac-pink flowers appear in early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Thymus are evergreen woody-based perennials, shrub or sub-shrubs with small aromatic leaves and terminal whorls of small, 2-lipped, tubular, purple, pink or white flowers in late spring or summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in most well-drained, alkaline to neutral soils in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring. Semi-hardwood cuttings may be taken in mid- to late-summer although some bottom heat may be required

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

pruning group 10

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free