Creeping Phlox vs Creeping Thyme: What’s the Difference?

Written by Jeremiah Wright
Published: October 26, 2022
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At first glance, you might be unable to distinguish creeping phlox from creeping thyme because they’re both beautiful plants with brightly colored flowers. If you’re trying to decide which is better for your garden, you’re in the right place! We’ll tell you exactly how to tell them apart!

We need to mention, however, that there are two creeping phlox species, so this article will highlight the differences between the two phlox species and the creeping thyme.

Let’s find out what makes the creeping phlox plant different from the creeping thyme shrub!

Comparing Creeping Phlox vs. Creeping Thyme

Creeping phlox and creeping thyme are flowering plants that differ in scientific classification, among others.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera)Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)Creeping Thyme
ClassificationKingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Polemoniaceae
Genus: Phlox
Species: Phlox stolonifera
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Polemoniaceae
Genus: Phlox
Species: Phlox subulata
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Thymus
Species: Thymus serpyllum
Plant Type– Flowering plant;
– Perennial herbaceous plant
– Flowering plant;
– Evergreen perennial plant
– Flowering plant in the mint family;
– Creeping dwarf evergreen shrub; woody plant
OriginEastern United StatesEastern and central United StatesPalearctic realm of Europe and Asia
HabitatWoodlands and stream banks from Pennsylvania to northern Georgia; Quebec, CanadaRocky crevices, sandy sites, slopesThin soil plant; grows on rocky outcrops, hills, sandy-soiled heaths, banks, roadsides, and riverside sand banks.
Description– Grows up to 3 – 8 inches tall;
– Pale purple, white, or pink flowers measuring 0.8 – 1 inches in diameter;
-Has yellow stamens and flowers with five petals; 6 – 10 inches tall stems; – Doesn’t have a central band of color; 
– Has ovate leaves measuring 1.2 – 1.8 inches long on the creeping stems and 1 inch long on the erect flowering stems
– Grows to roughly 5 inches tall and up to 2 feet wide; 
– Features opposite leaves;
– Has five-petaled flowers, which are small and rose, blue, white, mauve, or pink when they bloom; 
– Has a central band of color
– Grows roughly 3 inches tall
– Has woody stems; opposite-paired leaves, pink or mauve flowers with irregular, hairy, straight-tubed petals and a tube-like calyx; 
– Notched upper petals, smaller lateral petals, larger lower petals; 
– Flowers have two fused carpels and four projecting stamens
Bloom TimeMid springMid to late spring, early summerEarly to mid-summer
UsesIn rock gardens, cottage gardens, edgings, underplanting roses and shrubs, and used as ground covers.Used in gardens as beds and borders, ground covers, and edgingUsed in gardens as beds, borders, and ground covers

The Key Differences between Creeping Phlox and Creeping Thyme

So far, we’ve established that even though Phlox stolonifera and Phlox subulata are relatives, they don’t look the same! Moreover, they can be easily distinguished from the Thymus serpyllum shrub. The first and most important distinction is their scientific classification. It’s also extremely important to understand what type of plants the three are. Afterward, we’ll discuss their appearances and uses. 

Keep reading to discover many interesting facts about these flowering plants!

Creeping Phlox vs. Creeping Thyme: Classification

violet creeping phlox flowers

The “creeping phlox” common name is used for two plant species:

Phlox stolonifera

and

Phlox subulata

.

©Nahhana/Shutterstock.com

One of the most important differences between creeping phlox and creeping thyme is their classification. 

The “creeping phlox” common name is used for two plant species: Phlox stolonifera and Phlox subulata. Both species are also called moss phlox. The latter is sometimes called mountain phlox.

On the other hand, “creeping thyme” is only used for the Thymus serpyllum species. Sometimes it’s also used to refer to the Thymus praecox species, which is also called the Mother of Thyme. However, people only use this term in regions where the Thymus serpyllum species is not found. Based on this, we’ve decided to compare the two creeping phlox species only with Thymus serpyllum.

While they have similar leaves and flowers, these three plants belong to different families. The creeping phlox species belong to the Polemoniaceae family and Phlox genus, while the creeping thyme belongs to the Lamiaceae mint family and Thymus genus.

Creeping Phlox vs. Creeping Thyme: Plant Type

All three species are flowering plants.

Both creeping phlox species are perennial plants. Phlox stolonifera is a herbaceous plant with softer stems and ephemeral above-ground growth. Other herbaceous plants are ferns, forbs, and graminoids. 

Phlox subulata is an evergreen plant. Compared to the other creeping phlox, the subulata variation remains green and functional for more than one season. Other evergreen plants are conifers and eucalypts.

In contrast, creeping thyme is a prostrate subshrub, which means it’s a woody plant with branches on or just above the ground. Moreover, it has evergreen leaves. 

Creeping Phlox vs. Creeping Thyme: Origin and Habitat

creeping thyme

Creeping thyme is native to Europe and Asia’s Palearctic realm.

©Henrik_L /Shutterstock.com

The Phlox stolonifera variation is native to the eastern United States and can be found from Pennsylvania south to northern Georgia in woodlands and stream banks. In New England, it’s considered an introduced plant. 

Like its relative creeping phlox, the Phlox subulata species is native to the eastern United States and can be found on rocky crevices, sandy sites, and slopes. This creeping phlox is often cultivated as a groundcover plant.

Creeping thyme is native to Europe and Asia’s Palearctic realm. This biogeographic realm “crosses” all of Eurasia and North Africa and is divided into several bioregions. These are the Euro-Siberian region, the Sahara and Arabian Deserts, the Mediterranean Basin, and Western, Central, and East Asia. This plant grows in thin soils on rocky outcrops, banks, hills, and riverside sand banks. 

Creeping Phlox vs. Creeping Thyme: Description

The Phlox stolonifera species is the largest among the three. It grows up to 3 – 8 inches tall and can extend indefinitely. The other creeping phlox species grows up to 5 inches tall and 2 feet wide. In contrast, creeping thyme grows only 2 – 3 inches tall. 

Their leaves and flowers are very similar, so it might be difficult to distinguish them at first glance. 

Phlox stolonifera has 6 – 10 inches tall stems and ovate leaves measuring 1.2 – 1.8 inches long on the creeping stems and 1 inch long on the erect flowering stems. This plant’s flowers can be pale purple, pink, or white. They measure 0.8 – 1 inch in diameter and have five petals. This plant has yellow stamens and no central band of color.

Phlox subulata has opposite leaves. Like its phlox relative’s flowers, it has small, five-petaled flowers. It can be rose, blue, white, mauve, or pink when in bloom. Unlike Phlox stolonifera, this plant has a central band of color. 

Since creeping thyme is a woody plant, it’s easier to recognize it among the two creeping phlox species. The fastest way to tell it apart is by checking whether it has woody stems. Moreover, its leaves and flowers have slightly different shapes. This plant has opposite-paired leaves and pink or mauve flowers that feature irregular, hairy, and straight-tubed petals. The upper petals are notched, while the lateral petals are slightly smaller than the lower ones.

Creeping Phlox vs. Creeping Thyme: Uses

creeping thyme

Creeping thyme shrubs are often used in gardens as beds, borders, and ground covers.

©iStock.com/Andrii Kozlytskyi

Due to their beautiful appearance, all three plant species are widely used in various types of gardens and for different purposes.

Both creeping phlox species are low-maintenance plants, making them a perfect choice for rock gardens, cottage gardens, Mediterranean gardens, edgings, or ground covers.

Creeping thyme shrubs are often used in gardens as beds, borders, and ground covers. They are sometimes used to replace bluegrass lawns because they are easier to take care of. Moreover, creeping thyme oils are rich in chemical elements. The plant is often used in medicine to treat bronchitis or laryngitis.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Daria Katiukha/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

I hold seven years of professional experience in the content world, focusing on nature, and wildlife. Asides from writing, I enjoy surfing the internet and listening to music.

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Sources
  1. University of Maryland, Available here: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/moss-phlox
  2. Gardenia, Available here: https://www.gardenia.net/plant/thymus-serpyllum-creeping-thyme
  3. Gardenia, Available here: https://www.gardenia.net/plant-variety/phlox-subulata-creeping-phlox
  4. Gardenia, Available here: https://www.gardenia.net/plant/phlox-stolonifera-creeping-phlox
  5. University of Ioannina, Available here: http://mediplantepirus.med.uoi.gr/pharmacology_en/plant_details.php?id=15