Elfin Thyme Ground Cover Lawn Replacement Kit

This ground cover starter kit includes 128 young plants, which you can plant at a spacing of 4-6" (closer spacing = faster coverage, wider spacing = more economical/more sqft covered, but takes longer to fill in). A spacing of 4" will cover about 14 sqft, a spacing of 6" will cover about 32 sqft. Elfin Thyme, as an alternative to grass, will require no mowing, no fertilizer or herbicide, and is drought tolerant once established.

Elfin Thyme is a slow growing ground cover, with miniature leaves and a very dense growth habit. Once established, these perks make it ideal for containing weeds, maintaining moisture, and tolerating foot traffic. However, it does take longer to get started, and planting your babies closer together is recommended - 4" apart is preferable. Make sure to water regularly and avoid walking on your new lawn for 12 weeks after planting. Once it's established it will be very drought tolerant and can withstand moderate trampling. A low and thick growth habit means this Elfin Thyme creates a neat carpet that looks beautiful en masse.

Includes 128 young plant starts, each plant is about 3/4" in diameter and 1" deep. The plant height is usually about 1/2." Because with this volume of young plants sometimes there are some empty cells or plants that are damaged in transit, we only charge for 125 plants to account for the possibility that some of the plants may be duds. When planning your lawn, count on 125 plants to play it safe!
Plant Info
Botanical Name
Thymus serpyllum
Height
2" when full grown
Spacing
4-12" between plants
Light
Full sun
Zone
Perennial zones 4-11
Kids & Pets & Deer
Non-toxic and deer resistant
Climate
Cold hardy and heat tolerant
Water
Drought tolerant
Indoor & Pots
Grows outside as groundcover
Growing Info
How to Plant Remove existing weeds, grass, and plants in your new planting area (this can be done by smothering the area or turning it over). Now tuck your plant in so the base of the stem is even with the top of the hole, and give the soft ground around the base of your small plant a few solid pats to compress the soil onto the roots, and a long, gentle drink of water
Where to Plant Find a place that gets mostly sun, or part shade
When to Plant Avoid the heat of the day when planting — plant in the early morning, late afternoon, or by the light of the moon. Plant outside after your average last frost in the spring, or in the fall
When to Expect Blooms We're here for the foliage. Tiny blooms during high summer attract pollinators
Care Instructions Water regularly during the first season, and avoid foot traffic for the first 12 weeks or so to give the plants a chance to get established. Weed in the spring to make sure the weeds aren't competing with the Thyme. Once your Thyme lawn is established, it does not need additional water, herbicides, fertilizer, water, or mowing
Extra Credit Elfin Thyme can be divided once it starts to thrive, to encourage it to cover an even greater area. Because Elfin Thyme has such a dense growth habit, it naturally suppresses weeds, and helps to preserve soil moisture
Regular price $412.00 USD
Regular price $0.00 USD Sale price $412.00 USD
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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  • Can I purchase less than 512 plants?

    This year we are only selling this in boxes of 512, but request noted!

  • Do you have to tear out your lawn before planting this?

    Not necessarily, but they will do best not having to compete with other plants. You can treat this as groundcover anywhere that you have some open ground space.