Thymeleaf speedwell.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial herb

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

4 to 8 inches tall

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist as this plant prefers damp conditions. Watch for wilting if the soil dries out too much during hot weather. It thrives in cool, shaded areas of the garden.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back after flowering to keep the patch tidy.

Repotting

Repot if the plant becomes root bound or the soil loses its structure.

Soil

Moist, well draining soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-25 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

There are no significant reports of human toxicity for this species.

Children

The plant is not known to be a choking hazard or toxic if handled by children.

Contact allergens

There is no evidence of skin irritation from handling this plant.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may cause minor reactions in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should be avoided for consumption.

How to identify it

• Opposite oval leaves
• Creeping stems rooting at nodes
• Small white or pale blue flowers
• Flowers have dark purple veins

Height

0.05 to 0.2m

Spread

0.15 to 0.4m

Leaves

green, semi-evergreen

Flowers

white, pale blue, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

• Powdery MildewCommon
• AphidsUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Slugs and SnailsUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

It remains semi-evergreen in mild climates and requires no special protection, though it may die back slightly in harsh freezes.

In containers

It grows well in shallow, wide containers at least 10 cm deep to accommodate its creeping root system.

Pair this plant with other moisture-loving ground covers to create a consistent, low-maintenance carpet.

Grows well with

• Creeping Jenny · Both plants enjoy similar moist soil conditions and provide a lush ground cover.
• Bugleweed · They share similar growth habits and thrive in partially shaded, damp spots.

Similar species

• Germander Speedwell · It has a similar appearance but features larger, more vibrant blue flowers.

Science

Family

Plantaginaceae

Genus

Veronica

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Widespread across temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America.

Conservation

It is a common and widespread species with no special conservation concerns.

It thrives in moist, open habitats where it can outcompete other small plants by forming dense, low-growing mats.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ground cover, rock garden filler, lawn weed

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant a weed?

It is often considered a lawn weed because it spreads rapidly in moist, low-cut turf.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it makes a lovely, low-maintenance ground cover for shallow containers.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Veronica honors Saint Veronica, while the species name serpyllifolia means thyme-leaved.

Good to know

• It is commonly known as thyme-leaved speedwell because its leaves resemble those of thyme.
• The plant spreads by creeping stems that root at the nodes.
• It is often found growing in damp, grassy areas across the northern hemisphere.