Creeping Thyme

Creeping Thyme can handle being walked upon and is primarily grown as a low-maintenance ground cover, filling in spaces quickly.  A sea of lavender-pink flowers arrives mid-summer completely covering the plant, attracting bees and butterflies. Useful for borders, rock gardens, and stone path plantings. Grows to 6”.        

100 seeds  

PLANTING

Thymus serpyllum

Perennial, zones 5-8

Germination:  10-21 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 65-70ºF

Seed Planting Depth:  Sow on the surface and lightly cover

Starting Indoors:  Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Provide 65-70ºF soil temperature for germination. Sow a few seeds per individual cell or pot or start in a 20-row tray, then transplant into larger cells/pots/containers. Transplant outside after the last frost, 6-8" apart.

Sowing Outdoors: Starting indoors is recommended. Direct sow around the last frost date. Sow seeds close together in a row and when thinning out the seedlings transplant them to other places in the garden. 

Growth Habit: Low-growing, creeping 

Height and Width: 6-8” x 12-18” 

Spacing:  6-8” apart   

Light Needs: Full sun 

Soil Needs: Creeping Thyme needs average, well drained soil

Flowering: 85-95 days

Harvest: Leaves-before the plant flowers, use fresh or dried

Uses: Medicinal, culinary, ornamental, containers, handles light foot traffic, ground cover- near pathways, patios and stepping stones, borders, edges or underplanting, cascading over rock walls  drought tolerant, attracts bees and beneficials                    

Care: Does not compete with weeds during the first two seasons. Trim back lightly after flowering for new growth. Can be divided every few years