Most members of this genus make low, spreading mats with small leaves along the stems, and are strongly aromatic. They are robust enough to stand being walked on, so can be planted where they will spread into a gravel path. The flowers, dense terminal clusters, are usually in shades of pink.

Thymus pulegioides 'Archer's Gold' is also known as Thymus x citriodorus, and manages to combine a lemony smell with the strong aroma typical of other thymes. The foliage is bright golden yellow and the flowers are lilac pink.