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Lamiaceae
Iceland Thyme
Thymus praecox subsp. arcticus
Hardiness and the joy of small things.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Genus
- Thymus
- Native to
- Iceland, northern Europe, Arctic regions
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- evergreen perennial ground cover
- Height
- 2–5 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, sandy, rocky
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 2–7
- Lifespan
- perennial; long-lived mat
Did you know
- It thrives in Iceland's lava fields, its roots finding purchase in cracks between basalt rocks.
- The aromatic mat releases fragrance when walked upon, making it a popular lawn substitute.
- It is one of the northernmost flowering plants, growing well inside the Arctic Circle.
- Bumblebees are its chief pollinators in Iceland, where honeybees do not naturally occur.
- Viking settlers likely used it as a culinary herb and strewing plant in their longhouses.
Color meanings
Pink
resilience in harsh places
Purple
courage