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Creeping Thyme is a fan favorite amongst homeowners looking for stunning and stylish ground covering plants. Not only are these plants vibrant and yield many leaves and offspring, the plant has flowers that bloom during the Summer and Spring.
While some people refer to Creeping Thyme as a weed, it isn’t! It actually provides a lot of benefits and nutrients to the soil. Thankfully, this plant is also easy to grow in various climates. As long as the Creeping Thyme plant has sun, water, and enough nutrients, it can thrive.
The History of Creeping Thyme
The history of Creeping Thyme is rich and long! Creeping Thyme has been around for thousands of years. Experts have found descriptions of Thyme in Sumeria as early as 3,000 years ago. It is also part of the mint family, which explains why the widespread flowering plant is fragrant.
Creeping Thyme is native to various parts of Northern Europe, Northern Africa, and West Asia. While this is true, it is grown everywhere! During its beginning, Creeping Thyme was not ornamental, instead, Sumerians used it for its health benefits.
The Romans during 700 BCE were the next group of people to highly reference Thyme. In their language, Thyme symbolizes courage. It was not uncommon to see Thyme depicted in art and other artifacts like pottery.
Not only did the Romans use Thyme in their artwork, but they did it to strike the idea of community and a sense of bravery in their citizens. Nobles, soldiers, and regular citizens would burn Thyme and smell it from miles away. The strong fragrance would evoke a feeling of pride and courage.
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The Benefits of Planting Creeping Thyme
Did you know that planting Creeping Thyme has a lot of benefits? Although it would be safe to assume that the benefits are because the plant is edible, there is more to it! This delicious and fragrant plant is a great addition to any yard because it provides a safe space for pollinators.
Is Creeping Thyme invasive? Surprisingly, no! While the plant does a great job spreading throughout the ground with its long stems and vivid flowers, it is not invasive. An invasive plant is one that takes over a habitat or location proceeding to affect the ecosystem negatively.
Planting Creeping Thymes can actually strengthen your soil’s health! It gives back nutrients into the soil from their roots. It is a quick spreading plant, but it is not invasive.
Another benefit of planting Creeping Thyme in your garden is that it provides shade and protection for cool weather plants that require partial shade. For instance, you can protect older root vegetables like radishes by planting it in the same section as Creeping Thyme.
This plant is not only fragrant, delicious, healthy, and nutrient filled, but it is also great to look at! For home decorators looking to add a sparkle in their lives, this is a great choice! Creeping Thyme comes in many patterns, colors, and petal shapes!
This herb plant also attracts pollinators which include butterflies and moths. If you have a garden with flowers and peppers, the pollinators can help your plants thrive and produce fruit. The pollen and nectar then go back into your natural environment.
Does thyme grow back every year? Creeping Thyme hardly ever dies and continues to come back each year! One of the benefits of growing Creeping Thyme in your garden is that it is a hardy plant. Although a hard freeze can kill it, there are still ways to protect the palnt from the cold.
How to Plant Creeping Thyme Effectively
Surprisingly, it is not difficult to plant or grow Creeping Thyme Effectively. The seeds are small and easy to spread! However, it is important to understand that there is a lot that goes into planting the seeds correctly.
How fast does creeping thyme grow? If you are looking for a plant to grow that only takes a small amount of time, you’ve found it! Creeping Thyme takes a few months to grow and develop from seed.
Although it takes a few months to grow taller, it begins to spread and blossom dramatically after the first year of maturity. Does creeping thyme like sun or shade? The shade brings cooler temperatures, which can hurt the maturity of your plant.
Plants of all types need sun to make energy and food. Creeping Thyme cannot survive without at least some sunlight or direct light. It can only be placed under partial shade.
There are a few steps that need to be considered, which includes picking the right seeds, choosing the correct soil, and using the right container.
Picking the Right Seeds
Did you know that there are over 50 different types of creeping Thyme? Although the plants all come from the same herb, the seeds are very different. Each one, also, has their own purpose! When looking for Creeping Thyme, it helps to have a reason as to why you are planning it.
For instance, some people prefer to use Creeping Thyme for decorations in their home. Since this herb flowers regularly in the summer, its colors vary! Some variations of Creeping Thyme are blue, while others are a vivid red. The colors are vibrant and gorgeous.
What about the USDA zone you are planting in? While they come from the same plant species or family, each Creeping Thyme seed has their own flower colors. Each color goes well with specific themes. Creeping Thyme, on the ground, is a great look for people who want a homey feeling.
However, there are also individuals that choose the seeds by the hardness. For instance, individuals that live in USDA zones under 6, may experience freeing lows. It would be best if they find a cold tolerant hardy plant.
Top 3 Best Creeping Thyme Seeds
1. Creeping Thyme Seeds for Planting – Purple Flowers – Top Pick
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Wild Thyme is a variety of Thyme that creeps and pops in vibrant colors!
Style: Purple Mother of Thyme Seeds
Application: Sow Directly into Soil
Size: 1 Packet of 1,000 seeds
Breckland Thyme grows between 3-8″ tall. It has a rich fragrant smell that grabs anyones attention. The seeds are super small and great for growing in USDA zones 3-11.
Pros
- Easy to Grow
- Quick Growing
- Vivid Purple and Pink Flowers make Yards Pop!
2. Wild Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) Seeds – The Most Seeds per Pack
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The expected bloom time is the Summer months.
Style: 2 Seed Packets
Application: Sprinkle into Soil
Size: 40,000 Seeds
You can start planting this seed during the early Spring months. It grows to about 6 to 12 inches tall in USDA zones 3-11. They require frequent watering and are great for ground color to brighten up an outdoor space!
Pros:
- Vibrant Flowers that Vary in Color
- Versatile Growing Zones
- A Great Value for Money
- Seeds can last months, if not years, stored properly
3. Outsidepride Magic Carpet Creeping Thyme Seed – Best For Ground Coverage
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These seeds are great for growing plants that give the best ground coverage.
Ground Coverage is important because it protects the plants from pests and the sun. It is great for root vegetables, when they are already established and growing. The small pink and purple flowers blossom in the Spring and Summer and cover the floor.
Style: 1 Creeping Thyme Seed Packet
Application: Sprinkle Directly in the Soil
Size: 500-1000 seeds
Not only is this ground coverage plant the best for coverage, it also provides nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies. By attracting these pollinators, the other plants continue to grow via pollination.
Pros:
- Brings in Pollinators like Butterflies
- Provides Plenty of Ground Coverage
- A Minimum of 500 Seeds
- Hardy is USDA Zones starting at Zone 4
The Right Soil
Where is the best place to plant creeping thyme? Creeping Thyme requires direct sunlight. Although some varieites can live through cold temperature drops, this plant needs at least eight hours of sunlight to thrive.
You do need to use the right soil though! While Creeping Thyme thrives and grows quickly, it will only grow with the right soil. Creeping Thyme does not like to be ‘soaked’. The right soil is a potting mix with nutrients like nitrogen added extra.
However, it is possible to use sandier soils if you make the right choices. For instance, since sand soaks water and takes a long tiyou do not need to water it as often. Too much water, with a lack of draining, can cause the roots to drown.
The roots of a Creeping Thyme plant need air circulation to live. This is why it is important that your Creeping Thyme has soil with woody elements and looseness. If there is too much matter in your soil, it can hinder and cause the roots to tangle and knot together.
Soil is difficult because Creeping Thyme is typically planted in the ground, alongside walkways. This gorgeous flowering plant is a favorite amongst gardeners, however, it is difficult to plant in the ground.
Over time, all soil becomes depleted from necessary nutrients and organisms that provide life to your Creeping Thyme plant. Lawn grass and other plants like trees, use up the energy from the soil, which makes the soil no longer fertile. Sometimes, it is necessary to amend your soil, which is a lengthy process.
To amend your soil, you need to first find out what you are missing. The best way to do this is by taking a soil test to find out which minerals and nutrients your soil is missing. Afterwards, you need to find a fertilizer, or organic component to turn and mix into the soil on the ground.
Some people try to save the soil already in the ground, while others buy entirely new soil and add it to the top layer. Either way, dry and old soil with weeds and grass should be treated and given additional nutrients.
Watering
How much should you water a Creeping Thyme? These fun loving plants love water and prefer to be watered then dry! However, the watering depends on a few situations. For instance, if you have a container that does not have any holes on the bottom for drainage, you should water sparingly.
Although it is tempting to water your plants every day, keep in mind that Creeping Thyme roots do not want to drown in water. The best way to check if your Creeping Thyme needs water is by dipping your finger into the soil. If the soil still feels moist, it is perfect! However, if it cracks and dries, it needs extra water.
Some gardening experts recommend watering your Creeping Thyme plant at least an inch of water every week. However, during dry and hot months, you may need to add extra water. During Winter, it’s the opposite.
As the cold temperatures continue to drop, and there is less and less sunlight, you should only water your Creeping Thyme plant sparingly. Sometimes, it is only necessary to water them once a week.
Conclusion
All in all, Creeping Thyme is a delicious and fragrant smell with many benefits! Not only do some people use Creeping Thyme in their food as a culinary season, but also as a medicine. It has a lot of physical properties that are helpful.
Not only can this herb be used as a medicine or preventative care, but also as a gorgeous decoration in someone’s yard! Whether you grow Creeping Thyme on your sidewalks or in a container, they are showstoppers!
FAQs
Is Creeping Thyme Invasive?
Although Creeping Thyme spreads quickly and throughout the ground, it is not invasive! For a plant to be invasive, it must take over an ecosystem by destroying the other plants and wildlife in it. Creeping Thyme does not destroy wildlife around it, instead, the plant brings nutrients.
How fast does creeping thyme grow?
Unlike other plants, the Creeping Thyme plants take their time. For instance, that specific plant takes one year to grow and establish. While the plant does produce flowers in its first year, there are not as many flowers and they are not as vibrant!
During the second year, is when the Thyme begins to ‘creep’ and spread throughout the land. The plant spreads so fast though that in another year, it overtakes the area it was originally planted in!
Where is the best place to plant creeping thyme?
The best place to plant Creeping Thyme is an area that receives light, but also shade. It also needs plenty of water and room to grow its roots in the soil. Interestingly, you can plant Creeping Thyme in a container or in the ground of a garden.
Does creeping thyme like sun or shade?
Creeping Thyme prefers full sun and direct sunlight, however, you can plant it in the shade. If you do so, you should make sure that the shade is only partial and that the temperature is over 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does thyme grow back every year?
Thyme is a perennial, it does not die at the end of each season. This is great news for gardeners who want a pop of color. Thyme grows back everywhere as during the Winter the growing ‘pauses’.
Cody is a fulltime blogger and gardener. His favorite activity to relax after a long day of writing is taking care of his plants and garden. For the past few years he have spent more time in the garden than inside so if there is one man you should take advice from its our dear Cody.
