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 65-70F

Seed Planting Depth: Sow on the surface and lightly cover

Starting Indoors: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Provide 65-70F 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