Creeping Thyme aka Elfin Thyme aka Breckland Thyme is safe for dogs and cats.
All colors including red creeping thyme are not poisonous to cats or dogs. It is a great option for pet owners looking for ground cover plants that are not toxic to dogs or cats and can hold up to the wear and tear pets, especially dogs inflict on plants in their pet safe gardens.
Physical Attributes
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Low-growing, creeping, woody-based perennial subshrub[1][2][3][4] |
| Height | 2-3 inches tall[1][2][3][4] |
| Spread | 1-2 feet wide[1][2][3][4] |
| Leaves | Tiny, rounded, gray-green, aromatic[1][2][3][4] |
| Flowers | Small, tubular, lavender-pink to deep purple, in clusters[1][2][3][4] |
| Bloom Time | Early to mid-summer[1][2][3][4] |
| Growth Habit | Prostrate, mat-forming groundcover[1][2][3][4] |
General Care Tips
- Grow in full sun[1][2][3][4]
- Well-drained, gritty or sandy soil[1][2][3][4]
- Drought tolerant once established[1][2][3][4]
- Low water needs[1][2][3][4]
- Low maintenance, no serious pests or diseases[1][3][4]
- Prune woody stems to rejuvenate growth[1][4]
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart when planting[2]
- Cold hardy in USDA zones 4-9[1][2][3][4]
Fun Facts
- Also known as Breckland thyme, mother of thyme, wild thyme[1][2][3][4]
- Native to northern Europe, western Asia, northern Africa[1][3]
- Name derived from Greek words meaning “courage” and “creeping”[1][3]
- Has been used since medieval times as an emblem of bravery[1]
- Attracts butterflies and is deer/rabbit resistant[1][2][3][4]
- Leaves are aromatic but rarely used for culinary purposes[1][2][3]
- Many cultivars available with varying leaf/flower colors[1][3][4]
- Can be used as groundcover, edging, rock gardens, containers[1][2][3][4]
Creeping/Elfin/Breckland Thyme Is A Flowering Pet Safe Plant for Dogs, Cats & Horses
We check the flowers we feature on our site with the ASPCA website list of nontoxic versus toxic plants and do extensive internet research for both the common and scientific name just to be super pet safe. If we cannot find direct reference, we check up to genus and so on until we can confirm whether a plant is toxic or non toxic to either cats or dogs. If we are not sure, or get contradictory information, we do not include it. Many of the plants featured we have grown successfully in our own pet safe garden in Northern California. You can see many of garden stars in photos from Lovie’s Pet Safe Garden. Creeping thyme is not in our garden yet, but I recently ordered some seeds so I may have personal photos to share by fall or next season.
| Consideration | Details |
|---|---|
| Container Friendly | Yes, creeping thyme does well in containers and patio planters.[1][2][3][4] |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Outdoor plant only.[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Sun/Shade | Prefers full sun.[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Perennial/Annual | Perennial, semi-evergreen subshrub.[1][2][3][4] |
| Flowering | Small lavender-pink to purple flowers bloom in early to mid-summer.[1][2][3][4] |
| Drought Tolerant | Yes, very drought tolerant once established.[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Pollinator Magnet | Yes, attracts butterflies and bees.[1][2][4] |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes, low maintenance and easy to grow.[1][2][3][4] |
| Good Ground Cover | Excellent as a low-growing, spreading groundcover.[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Good Privacy Screen | No, only grows 2-3 inches tall, too short for a privacy screen.[1][2][3][4] |
| Invasive/Spreader | Spreads by trailing stems but is not considered invasive.[2][4] |
| Hardy/Delicate | Very hardy perennial, cold hardy down to zone 4.[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Rodent Repellent | No specific evidence of rodent repelling ability.[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deer Resistant | Yes, deer resistant due to aromatic foliage.[1][2][4] |
| Native To | Native to northern Europe, western Asia, northern Africa.[1][3][4] |
| Ideal States/Regions | Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, grows well across most of the United States.[1][2][3][4][5] |
Citations:
[1] https://johnson-nursery.com/thymus-elfin-creeping-thyme/
[2] https://www.gardenia.net/plant/thymus-serpyllum-elfin
[3] https://www.amazon.com/QAUZUY-GARDEN-Purple-Creeping-Thyme/dp/B0BLNG27KH
[4] https://www.gardendesign.com/perennials/creeping-thyme.html
[5] https://grow.edenbrothers.com/planting-guide/creeping-thyme-seeds/
[6] https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/thymus-serpyllum/
[7] https://www.gardenia.net/plant/thymus-serpyllum-elfin
[8] https://www.amazon.com/QAUZUY-GARDEN-Purple-Creeping-Thyme/dp/B0BLNG27KH
[9] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/growing-creeping-thyme.htm
[10] http://www.tinygreengardens.com/elfin-thyme-plant/
