Plant Care Elfin Thyme

Elfin Thyme

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

💦 Water

How often to water your Elfin Thyme

Water needs for Elfin Thyme
0.5 cups
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.

Calculate water needs of Elfin Thyme

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Breckland Thyme in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Elfin Thyme: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
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 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Elfin Thyme

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Elfin Thyme: repot after 2X growth

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.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

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

Elfin Thyme


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

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

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