Cosmos vs Creeping Thyme

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Creeping Thyme

Thymus serpyllum

Lamiaceae · groundcovers

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Cosmos (Zones 2-11)

Creeping Thyme (Zones 4-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cosmos	Creeping Thyme
Scientific Name	Cosmos bipinnatus	Thymus serpyllum
Family	Asteraceae	Lamiaceae
Category	flowers	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Well-drained, Poor
Height	5'	3"
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, White, Red	Pink, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Mexico	Europe
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Cosmos

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Creeping Thyme

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

Creeping Thyme

✓Needs excellent drainage.
✓Don't over-fertilize — poor soil is fine.
✓Shear after flowering.
✓Plant between stepping stones for a fragrant pathway.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 2–11.

Choose Creeping Thyme if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View CosmosProfile →View Creeping ThymeProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cosmos and Creeping Thyme grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cosmos grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Creeping Thyme grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Cosmos and Creeping Thyme have the same sun and water needs?

Cosmos needs full sun and low water, while Creeping Thyme needs full sun and low water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Cosmos or Creeping Thyme?

Cosmos grows taller at 5' compared to Creeping Thyme at 3". Cosmos spreads 2' while Creeping Thyme spreads 1' 6".

Are Cosmos and Creeping Thyme deer resistant?

Yes, both Cosmos and Creeping Thyme are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Cosmos or Creeping Thyme?

Both Cosmos and Creeping Thyme have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cosmos	Creeping Thyme
Scientific Name	Cosmos bipinnatus	Thymus serpyllum
Family	Asteraceae	Lamiaceae
Category	flowers	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Well-drained, Poor
Height	5'	3"
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, White, Red	Pink, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Mexico	Europe
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

Creeping Thyme

✓Needs excellent drainage.
✓Don't over-fertilize — poor soil is fine.
✓Shear after flowering.
✓Plant between stepping stones for a fragrant pathway.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 2–11.

Choose Creeping Thyme if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cosmos and Creeping Thyme grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cosmos grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Creeping Thyme grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Cosmos and Creeping Thyme have the same sun and water needs?

Cosmos needs full sun and low water, while Creeping Thyme needs full sun and low water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Cosmos or Creeping Thyme?

Cosmos grows taller at 5' compared to Creeping Thyme at 3". Cosmos spreads 2' while Creeping Thyme spreads 1' 6".

Are Cosmos and Creeping Thyme deer resistant?

Yes, both Cosmos and Creeping Thyme are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Cosmos or Creeping Thyme?

Both Cosmos and Creeping Thyme have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.