Lavender thyme offers a delightful sensory experience in any garden, combining visual appeal with a unique fragrance. This plant captivates with its delicate appearance and aromatic qualities. Its subtle beauty and pleasant scent make it a desirable addition to various landscape designs.
What is Lavender Thyme
“Lavender thyme” refers to varieties of Thymus serpyllum or Thymus praecox, commonly known as Creeping Thyme. Despite its name, it is a type of thyme, not a hybrid of lavender and thyme plants. Thymus thracicus is another associated lavender-scented variety.
This plant has a low-growing, mat-forming habit, typically reaching 3 to 6 inches tall with a spread of up to 18 inches. Its small, bluish-green leaves are evergreen and release a pleasant, lavender-like scent when crushed. In early to mid-summer, it produces abundant tiny, fragrant flowers, typically in shades of lavender, purple, or violet.
Growing and Caring for Lavender Thyme
Lavender thyme thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sun daily for robust growth and abundant flowering. Well-draining soil is crucial, as lavender thyme is susceptible to root rot in overly moist conditions. It prefers sandy or rocky mediums. For containers, terra-cotta pots help wick away excess moisture.
Once established, lavender thyme is drought-tolerant, needing infrequent watering. Water deeply only when the soil has completely dried out, typically every one and a half to two weeks, adjusting based on climate. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, tolerating cold winters and hot summers; mulch can offer protection in colder regions. Minimal fertilization is required; over-fertilizing leads to leggy growth. A diluted, balanced fertilizer can be applied sparingly in spring if needed.
Pruning encourages denser growth and prevents woodiness. After the main bloom in mid to late summer, shear back the plant by one-third to promote fresh growth and a second flush of flowers. For older plants, a more aggressive cut to 2-3 inches in early spring, as new growth emerges, can rejuvenate them. Propagation is straightforward: divide established clumps in early spring or fall, or take 3-4 inch stem cuttings from non-flowering stems in late spring or early summer. This plant resists pests and diseases, and its aromatic foliage deters deer.
Using Lavender Thyme
Lavender thyme has various applications, blending its unique flavor and aesthetic appeal. In the kitchen, its flavor is milder than common thyme, with a subtle floral hint that complements many dishes. It can be used in baking, infused into oils, or added to roasted vegetables and poultry for a clean, aromatic touch.
Beyond culinary uses, lavender thyme excels as an ornamental plant. Its low-growing, spreading habit makes it an excellent groundcover for rock gardens, pathways, or between stepping stones, releasing fragrance when brushed or walked upon. It also performs well in containers and hanging baskets, with stems cascading attractively. The plant’s small, lavender-purple flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its fragrant leaves can be used in aromatic applications such as potpourri or homemade soaps, extending its pleasant scent indoors.
Lavender Thyme Versus Other Plants
Understanding the distinctions between “lavender thyme” and other plants is helpful. True lavender (Lavandula species) belongs to a different genus, with a more upright, shrub-like growth habit and typically larger, more intensely scented flowers. Both are aromatic, but true lavender’s fragrance is distinctly floral and often used in aromatherapy, while lavender thyme offers a more herbaceous scent with a subtle floral note.
Within the Thymus genus, lavender thyme differs from varieties like common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) or lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus). Common thyme is valued for its robust culinary flavor, and lemon thyme has a distinct citrus aroma. Lavender thyme, often a variety of creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum or Thymus praecox), is recognized for its ground-hugging form and its specific “lavender-spice” scent.