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Also known as
Breckland Thyme, Breckland Thyme, Breckland wild thyme, Wild thyme, Creeping thyme, Elfin thyme and Pink Chintz Thyme
Taxonomy
Thymus serpyllum
Thymus
Lamiaceae
Lamiales

How to care for Elfin Thyme
How often to water your Elfin Thyme

every 9
Elfin Thyme needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9
Finding light for Breckland Thyme in your home

a window
Elfin Thyme love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Elfin Thyme does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Elfin Thyme in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Elfin Thyme

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Elfin Thyme after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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should i trim the dry branches? I'm not sure if they're better off removed or if that will stress my plant out more... #LemonThyme
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I think I am watering my thyme too much .. it went from luscious green to dying . Any advice ? #CommonThyme
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Some of my plants leaves are browning, I just got him and it’s the first time I’ve grown one. Any suggestions as to what’s wrong? #Thyme
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Brows spots I water my plant regularly. It is places in direct sunlight and I think I have fulfilled all is needs. Does anyone know what’s wrong with my thyme? #Thyme
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Thimmy has some white spots and holes on some leaves. How can I help him? #LemonThyme
Elfin Thyme is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
💦 Water Needs
Elfin Thyme prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
☀️ Sunlight Needs
Elfin Thyme requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
💨 Humidity
Elfin Thyme doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
🪴 Soil
Elfin Thyme does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
💩 Fertilizer
Elfin Thyme grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
🌎 Native Region
Elfin Thyme is native to temperate Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern
Elfin Thyme grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.
🌦️ Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Elfin Thyme can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
🌱 Propagation
Elfin Thyme can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
🧐 Troubleshooting
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Care Summary for Elfin Thyme
Elfin Thyme
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
