Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Thymus serpyllum
Lamiaceae · groundcovers
Lupinus polyphyllus
Fabaceae · flowers
Creeping Thyme (Zones 4-8)
Lupine (Zones 4-7)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–7
| Feature | Creeping Thyme | Lupine |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thymus serpyllum | Lupinus polyphyllus |
| Family | Lamiaceae | Fabaceae |
| Category | groundcovers | flowers |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧 Low | 💧💧 Medium |
| Soil | Well-drained, Poor | Well-drained, Slightly Acidic |
| Height | 3" | 4' |
| Spread | 1' 6" | 2' |
| Bloom Season | Summer | Late Spring-Summer |
| Bloom Color | Pink, Purple | Blue, Purple, Pink, Yellow |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Medium |
| Native Region | Europe | North America |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Creeping Thyme
Lupine
Creeping Thyme
Lupine
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.
Choose Lupine if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 4–7.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–7. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.
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