Woolly Thyme

Thymus pseudolanuginosus

Nature Hills Nursery

Softest Thyme Variety: Ultra-Fuzzy Gray Foliage Creates Touchable Texture in Rock Gardens
Thrives in Zones 5-8
Grows 1 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Pink Blooms From Late Spring to Early Summer
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant

$16⁹⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Aim for at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to keep the foliage mat tight and silver. While it tolerates light afternoon shade in the hottest climates, too much shade causes the stems to stretch and lose their characteristic fuzzy density.
Soil: This plant requires excellent drainage and thrives in gritty, sandy, or rocky soils. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a raised bed or a rock garden since "wet feet" during the winter is the fastest way to kill this herb.

Watering Requirements

Water your new plants every few days for the first few weeks to help the root system reach into the surrounding soil. Once the carpet is established, Woolly Thyme is very drought tolerant and only needs supplemental water during extended heat waves. Be careful not to overwater because trapped moisture within the dense foliage can cause the plant to rot or "melt" in the center.

Pruning Tips

Woolly Thyme blooms on old wood, so the best time to tidy it up is immediately after the tiny flowers fade in mid summer. Use garden shears to lightly trim the top of the entire mat, which acts like a haircut to stimulate fresh, thick growth. This prevents the plant from becoming overly woody or developing a bare, brown center over time.

Fertilizer Needs

This groundcover is a light feeder and only requires a single application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers because they encourage soft, lanky growth that is more susceptible to pests and winter damage. Providing too many nutrients actually weakens the plant's structural integrity and reduces its natural hardiness.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Groundcover, Fragrant, Flowering, Slopes/Erosion Control, Deer-resistant, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Container Friendly
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	1 ft
Width	1 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Preferred Soil	Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Spreading
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	Pink
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors, Indoors
Plant Name	Thyme
Botanical Name	Thymus pseudolanuginosus
Species	pseudolanuginosus
Class	Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Aromatic Carpets of Soft Dainty Green Woolly Thyme!

Thick Cascading Carpeting Groundcover
Tiny Gray-Green Foliage
Low, Creeping Trailing Fragrance!
Easy Care & Low Maintenance
Small Showy Pink Blooms
Hardy Full Sun Perennial

Carpets of fuzzy foliage, Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is a showy vigorously spreading fragrant herb!

Tiny, fuzzy gray-green leaves cascade and trail, thickly carpeting entire areas in dense, fragrant greenery!

Butterflies and bees love the tiny pink flowers that smother this creeping Thyme in early summer

How to Use Woolly Thyme In The Landscape

Fantastic Rock Garden and border plants that edges your Cottage, Perennial and Herb gardens with the soft foliage and tight clumping spreading form of this aromatic herb.

Let meander between the cracks of your walkways and stepping-stones, or spill-over sunny retaining and rock walls to soften hard edges.

Spillers for containers and sunny planters, they perfume the air with herbal aroma!

Attracting butterflies while providing a Fire-wise barrier and ground cover to fill barren areas with lush color and scent!

#ProPlantTips For Care

Fantastic full sun Thyme plants form dense mats in neutral to alkaline soil! Light foot-traffic tolerant once established, be sure to proved Thyme with well-drained soils and adequate moisture in the summer heat.

Firescaping and Xeriscaping groundcovers colonize rocky soils and poor soils, they require no care beyond some watering and fertilizer. Drought tolerant once established!

Woolly Thyme is a refreshing and adaptable ground covering herb with loads of appeal! Order yours from Nature Hills today!

Explore More from Nature Hills

Woolly Thyme pairs beautifully with other perennials and groundcovers that share its preference for well-draining soil and sunny locations. This hardy plant joins the ranks of drought tolerant and low maintenance plants that thrive with minimal care once established. For inspiration on designing your perennial spaces, explore our guides on Create The Perfect Mixed Perennial Garden! and Check Out Spring Blooming Perennials for Early Spring Color! to complement your Woolly Thyme plantings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can i buy green thyme ground cover online?

Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is an excellent green groundcover available through online nurseries. This fragrant, fuzzy-leaved perennial forms dense carpets in full sun and well-drained soil. Look for reputable nurseries that offer healthy plants with good root systems for best establishment.

Where can i buy thyme plants?

Woolly Thyme is a fragrant, low-maintenance groundcover perfect for rock gardens and walkways. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and attracts butterflies with its pink summer blooms. Shop at Nature Hills for quality plants.

How fast does Woolly Thyme spread and fill in an area?

Woolly Thyme spreads vigorously to form dense mats that can fill in areas within 1-2 growing seasons. This creeping perennial colonizes quickly through trailing stems that root as they spread. Plant 12-18 inches apart for faster coverage, or space wider for a more gradual fill-in effect.

Is Woolly Thyme deer resistant?

Woolly Thyme is generally deer resistant due to its strong aromatic oils that deer typically avoid. The fragrant gray-green foliage acts as a natural deterrent in garden settings. Plant it in full sun with well-drained soil for best results and strongest scent.

Does Woolly Thyme need to be fertilized regularly?

Woolly Thyme requires minimal fertilization once established in well-draining soil. This low-maintenance groundcover thrives in poor to rocky soils with just occasional watering and light feeding. Apply a balanced fertilizer sparingly in spring if desired, available at naturehills.com.

Will Woolly Thyme survive harsh winters or does it need protection?

Woolly Thyme is a hardy perennial that survives harsh winters without protection in its growing zones. This tough groundcover goes dormant in winter and reliably returns each spring. Ensure good drainage before winter, as wet soil poses more risk than cold temperatures.

How drought tolerant is it?

Woolly Thyme becomes drought tolerant once established. It requires adequate moisture during summer heat in its first season, but then thrives in poor, rocky soils with minimal water. Provide well-drained soil and some watering during establishment for best results.

Woolly Thyme

Thymus pseudolanuginosus