UC Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County, CA
University of California
UC Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County, CA

Water Wise Plants

Thymus vulgaris

Pronunciation
TY-mus vul-GAR-iss
Common Name
Thyme
Plant Type
Groundcover
Mature Size
3 in. high and 3 ft. wide
Water Requirements
Low: water every three weeks until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
  • Beneficials
  • Deer resistant
Flower Color
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Many herbs, including thyme, are great additions to water wise gardens. They can be used in cooking; they smell great and their foliage and flowers are attractive.

Thyme makes a nice ground cover for small spaces. It has grey-green leaves and small white flowers.

PADG Notes: To keep thyme neat, the faded flowers are sheared back in early spring. Many thymes are not long lived, but Thymus vulgaris has proven to be long-lived in our water wise garden.

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