Creeping Thyme Care Guide: How to Grow Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is a perennial woody shrub. It is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that thrives in sandy or rocky soil in Mediterranean climates. Often called the "mother of thyme," creeping thyme thrives in full sun. Its fragrant flowers attract pollinators—particularly bees and butterflies—and the mint-like flavor of its dark green leaves makes it deer-resistant.

Gardeners often favor creeping thyme for landscaping, sometimes as a lawn substitute. It can tolerate a modest amount of foot traffic, which makes it a natural fit for the spacing between stepping stones and pavers. Its green foliage, woody stems, and pink, purple, and white flowers make it a natural fit for rock gardens.

In the right climate, creeping thyme plants are both hardy and low-maintenance.

1. 1. Hardiness zone: Creeping thyme grows best in USDA hardiness zones four through nine.
2. 2. Soil pH: Creeping thyme does best in soil that is either neutral or slightly alkaline.
3. 3. Soil type: The key requirement for creeping thyme is a well-draining soil. This plant is susceptible to root rot, so avoid planting it in heavy clay soil that retains moisture. Creeping thyme does well in well-draining loamy soil, but it grows best in sandy or rocky soil that mimics its natural habitat in southern Europe.
4. 4. Spacing: Plant creeping thyme seeds one inch apart. Once seedlings form, transfer the new plants to their final spot, spacing them eight to twelve inches apart.
5. 5. Sunlight: Creeping thyme thrives in full sun, though it can also do well in partial shade.
6. 6. Water: Creeping thyme is drought-tolerant. Water new plants regularly until they are established, but avoid letting the plants sit in standing water or they will succumb to root rot.
7. 7. Flowers: The natural bloom time for most creeping thyme species is late spring and early summer.
8. 8. Propagation: You can propagate thyme plants by applying root hormone to stem cuttings and placing them in fresh soil. Harvest these cuttings in the early summer. When you prune thyme, it grows back thick and bushy, as new stems fill in the gaps created by cuttings.

The creeping thyme plant naturally appears in a number of subspecies, each with its own defining characteristics.

1. 1. Red creeping thyme: Red creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum 'Coccineus') is known for its pink flowers and tolerance for relatively poor soil. It can thrive anywhere in the natural habitat of creeping thyme.
2. 2. English thyme: Often called garden thyme or common thyme, English thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is the most prevalent type of thyme used in cooking. It produces purple flowers and fares well in USDA zones five through nine.
3. 3. Lemon thyme: Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) has yellow-tinted leaves that are routinely used to season teas, salads, and savory dishes. Multiple lemon thyme varieties exist, including creeping golden lemon, silver-edged lemon, lemon supreme, and lime thyme.
4. 4. Woolly thyme: The Woolly thyme variety (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is known for its pale pink flowers. It thrives in USDA zones five through eight.
5. 5. ‘Spicy Orange’ creeping thyme: Like woolly thyme, ‘Spicy Orange’ creeping thyme is a cultivar known for producing pink flowers. However, it grows lower to the ground, rarely exceeding four inches high.
6. 6. ‘Archer's Gold’ thyme: The ‘Archer's Gold’ thyme cultivar is a tall, pink-flowered thyme plant. Its foliage grows six to twelve inches tall. Its leaves turn a pleasing gold color in late fall and winter.
7. 7. White creeping thyme: White creeping thyme (Thymus paocos 'Albiflorus') has fragrant white flowers and a carpet-like appearance. Most grow within one to two inches from the ground. It is hardier than other creeping thyme varieties and can survive in USDA zone two.

Thyme is not toxic, and its leaves are a common ingredient in many cuisines. A typical spice cabinet features jars of dried thyme. Thyme oil is used for seasoning and as a home fragrance.

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