Many beautiful plants in the world are surprisingly similar. These similarities create confusion for gardeners and plant lovers trying to plan their garden or identify plants in the wild.
Creeping thyme and elvish thyme are often confused, and people often use their names interchangeably. Although these plants are closely related, there are some subtle differences.
Let’s explore the creepy vs. elvish theme and what makes them unique.
Compare Creeping Thyme vs. elven thyme
| creeping thyme | elven thyme | |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Precox thymus, thymus serpylla | thymus serpylla “Elf” |
| Alternative names | thyme, thyme leprechaun, thyme coccineus, wild thyme | brickland theme, miniature theme |
| Origin | Europe | Europe, North Africa |
| Description | Small purple and white flowers reaching 3 to 6 inches tall with unlimited spreading. The leaves are waxy green and elliptical with fibrous hairs. It tends to have a higher flower to foliage ratio. | Small magenta, pink, purple and white flowers grow 1-3 inches tall and spread 1-1.5 feet per plant. The leaves are waxy green and elliptical. The ratio between foliage and flowers is balanced. |
| Uses | Mainly used as ground cover. Not suitable for culinary use. | Mainly used as ground cover. Not suitable for culinary use. |
| Growing Tips | Propagate from existing plants and root indoors. When roots appear, plant in well-drained loamy soil full sun in USDA zones 5-8. | Propagate from existing plants and root indoors. When roots appear, plant in well-drained loamy soil in full sun USDA area 4-9. |
| Interesting features | Ideal for delimiting gardens and paths. Will giving off a grassy smell when walked on. | Ideal for delimiting gardens and paths. Will giving off a grassy smell when walked on. |
Creeping Thyme vs Elfin Thyme Creeping Thyme: Key Differences
The main difference between creeping thyme and elven thyme is that ‘creeping thyme’ is used to describe several different species and cultivars of thyme, whereas elven thyme is a single cultivar.
Many avid gardeners consider Precox thymus the original species of creeping thyme, which is why it is often called mother thyme. However, the term is also used to describe the species thymus serpyllaespecially where Precox thymus does not grow.
In this article, we are going to focus on the differences between Precox thymus and thymus serpylla.
©iStock.com/Marina Pimanova
Creeping Thyme vs Creeping Thyme Elfin Thyme: Classification
Creeping theme and elvish theme are both members of the Thymus genus, which is home to 350 species of thyme. This genus includes all species of ornamental and edible variations.
The original kind of creepy theme is Precox thymus. Word precox is the Latin word for “very early” or “primitive”, which refers to the ancient origins of this species.
The Elfin theme is thymus serpylla ‘Elf’. The Latin word mop Translates to “brush”, as this plant is classified as a shrub. The ‘Elfin’ cultivar was chosen for its miniature, delicate flowers, which tend to be smaller than other thyme cultivars.
©iStock.com/Orest Lyzhechka
Creeping Thyme vs Creeping Thyme Elfin Theme: Origin
The creepy theme is mostly found through Europeespecially in the Mediterranean Region. The Elfin theme can also be found in this area, but extends up to North Africa.
The common habitat contributes to the interchangeable names and confusion surrounding these species.
Creeping Thyme vs Creeping Thyme Elfin Thyme: Description
Creeping thyme has elliptical blue-green leaves with fibrous hairs and delicate purple and white flowers. This plant usually grows no more than three inches tall, but it will grow up to six inches in favorable environments. This species of creeping thyme has showy flowers and will continue to spread until it reaches a barrier.
Elfin thyme also has blue-green elliptical leaves and flowers ranging from purple to white. The main difference is the size of the flowers. Elfin thyme tends to have more conspicuous foliage than creeping thyme, with a balanced ratio of flowers to leaves. Elfin thyme will also spread outward, although individual plants tend to stop within one to two feet of their base.
©iStock.com/Yulia Bilousova
Creeping Thyme vs Creeping Thyme Elfin Thyme: Uses
Creeping thyme and dwarf thyme are mainly used as ground cover. These plants are great grass alternatives and edging solutions. Plant them between paving stones for easy maintenance, or use them to delimit your gardens.
One of the interesting characteristics of creeping thyme and dwarf thyme is the grassy aroma they give off when walked on. This is a great feature for gardeners wandering around the yard and also deters rabbits and deer from foraging in gardens. The flowers are also pollinator friendly.
Although creeping thyme and elven thyme are edible, they are not ideal for culinary purposes. Choose the common theme (Thymus vulgaris) or lemon theme (T. x citriodorus) instead.
©iStock.com/apugach
Creeping Thyme vs Creeping Thyme Elfin Thyme: Growing Tips
Spooky Thyme and Elvish Thyme are difficult to grow from seed. Experts recommend getting cuttings from established plants and rooting them indoors. Alternatively, you can buy cuttings or seedlings from a garden store.
Plant your wild thyme or wild thyme in full sun, in well-drained soil. Both species prefer frequent watering and humidity. Avoid planting them near crops with minimal weed resistance, as these creeping shrubs can overpower the roots.
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