#Creeping thyme ground cover varieties how to#
#Creeping thyme ground cover varieties full#

It will manage fine on its own and before you know it you have enough creeping thyme to cover your garden. Since thyme is a herb that can grow in very dry and and non nutritious soil you won’t have to care for it a whole lot.

But for those that are looking for a good ground covering plant then this might be the one for you. This can with time make for a very large amount of creeping thyme growing in your garden. This might actually be the biggest upside and argument for growing creeping thyme at home.Ĭreeping thyme is a fantastic ground cover as it will on the average expand around 1 feet per year. The area it might take over will make up for the nutrients it spreads to nearby plants or trees. The creeping thyme covers these problematic areas with some patience and eventually you won’t see any weeds there.Īnother good thing about growing thyme is that it’s a nitrogen fixer which means it will bring nutrients into the soil. These can otherwise be real problems in gardens. The pros of growing the creeping thyme are for example that it will hold off weeds like nettles and thistle. This can then make it difficult for other plants to continue growing as they get choked out. Since it is used as a ground cover it will hinder oxygen from going into the soil. growing it in the garden might not be a very good idea as it can take over the other herbs or plants you might have growing there. With this in mind it can hold off the idea of sowing it at home.Īs the creeping thyme is establishing itself and the general root system gets olde it will be more difficult to cut back and get under control. There have been reports of it growing almost 1 feet every year on average as it’s expanding. As the name suggests it will slowly creep and overtake even parts grown with grass. The biggest drawback in our opinion has to be the speed that the thyme will be taking over other parts of the garden. Plant creeping thyme 8 to 12 inches (20-30.5 cm.) apart to allow for its spreading habitat.Let’s start with the negatives of growing creeping thyme so get it over with.

Start seeds when growing creeping thyme indoors or they may be sown in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Cuttings from the creeping thyme plant should be taken in the early summer. The soil pH for growing creeping thyme plants should be neutral to slightly alkaline.Ĭreeping thyme ground cover can be propagated via stem cuttings or divisions and, of course, can be purchased from the local nursery as either established plantings or seeds.

Soil should be kept moist but not wet, as the growing creeping thyme plant is susceptible to root drowning and edema.

#Creeping thyme ground cover varieties full#

Although this ground cover prefers well-drained lightly textured soils, it will grow quite well in less than desirable medium and thrive from full sun to light shade environments.

#Creeping thyme ground cover varieties how to#

How to Plant Creeping ThymeĪs mentioned, growing creeping thyme is a simple process due to its compatibility in a variety of soils and light exposures. In fact, the pollen from the blooming thyme will flavor the resulting honey. Creeping thyme is also capable of withstanding tromping upon by rambunctious kids (making it kid resistant as well!), which makes it an exceptional planting choice anywhere that has frequent foot traffic.įlowering creeping thyme is very attractive to bees and is a nice addition to a garden focused on honeybees. Harvest creeping thyme in the morning when the essential oils of the plant are at their peak.Īnother creeping thyme fact is despite its enticing odor, growing creeping thyme ground cover is deer resistant, making it an ideal landscape candidate in areas frequented by them. To harvest creeping thyme ground cover, either remove the leaves from the stems or dry them by snipping from the plant and hanging them upside down in a dark, well-aerated area. Just like other thyme varieties, creeping thyme is edible with a flavor and aroma akin to mint when crushed or steeped for teas or tinctures. serpyllum is another creeping thyme variety. will appear in low, dense mats, which sprawl randomly and quickly fill in areas as a ground cover. An evergreen with lightly haired foliage, this tiny-growing creeping thyme varietal - rarely over 3 inches or 7.5 cm. Thymus praecox is a low-growing perennial hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 with fairly minimal requirements. Let’s learn more about creeping thyme plant care. It is excellent planted as a lawn substitute or among stepping stones or pavers to create a living patio. Creeping thyme, also known commonly as ‘Mother of Thyme,’ is an easily grown, spreading thyme variety.