Japanese name: ティムス プレギオイデス Scientific name:Thymus pulegioides
[Overview]
An evergreen small shrub 5–25 cm tall, growing on wasteland in its native habitat.
The whole plant is fragrant.
The stems branch well from the base, creep, and spread in a mat.
The stems are tinged with red, square in cross section, and hairy on the ridges.
The leaves are simple and opposite, narrowly ovate, with entire margins.
The flowers are borne in verticillasters at the stem tips; they are two-lipped and pink to magenta.
Four stamens protrude from the corolla.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings or division.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
It dislikes acidic soil.
It does better on the dry side, so water only after the soil surface has dried completely.
Keep it on the dry side in winter.
For plants in the garden, no watering is needed.
It is weak against heat and humidity, and if the plant becomes stuffy the leaves may die, so cut it back before summer to improve ventilation.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
