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How to plant creeping thyme comes down to three things: full sun, well-drained soil and a little patience while it fills in. Creeping thyme is a low, mat-forming evergreen herb. It spreads along the ground, smells wonderful when you brush against it, and suits paths, borders, paving gaps and rock gardens. In this guide, you will learn which varieties to choose, where and when to plant, how to plant step by step, how to handle heavy soil and cold winters, and how to care for it afterward.
What Is Creeping Thyme?
Creeping thyme is a group of low-growing thymes that spread across the soil instead of growing upright. Thymus serpyllum is one of the species sold under this name. Like other thymes, it belongs to the mint family. It has small, aromatic leaves, and it bears clusters of small flowers in summer.
Many gardeners grow creeping thyme as ground cover. For cooking, common thyme is the usual choice. See our guide to thyme herb for cooking for kitchen uses.
Popular Creeping Thyme Varieties
Flower color, leaf color and size vary with the variety, so check the plant label before you buy. Here are three varieties described by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
- ‘Albus’. It is evergreen with small, dark green, aromatic leaves and white flowers in summer. The RHS rates it H4, which means hardy through most of the UK (about -10 to -5°C). It grows in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun.
- ‘Goldstream’. It is evergreen with yellow and green variegated foliage and mauve flowers in summer. The RHS rates it H5, hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (about -15 to -10°C). It spreads about 0.5 to 1 meter (20 to 40 inches).
- ‘Snowdrift’. It is an evergreen, mat-forming plant that grows up to about 10 cm (4 inches) tall. It has mid-green leaves and white flowers in summer, and it is rated H5. Unlike the other two, the RHS says it grows in acid, neutral or alkaline soil.
All three are listed under the RHS Plants for Pollinators, so bees visit the flowers. In addition, all three suit rock gardens, gravel gardens and paving crevices.
Where to Plant Creeping Thyme
The RHS describes creeping thyme as a sun lover that is drought resistant. Therefore, the right spot matters more than anything else you do.
- Sun. Choose a warm, sunny position. Thyme thrives in full sun.
- Soil. Use light, free-draining soil. The RHS lists most creeping thymes as happiest in well-drained soil that is neutral to alkaline.
- Drainage. Thyme roots rot in damp conditions. If your soil is heavy or stays wet, especially in winter, plant in a container or raised bed instead.
- Foot traffic. The RHS suggests creeping thyme for paving areas where light foot traffic releases its scent. However, it suits light traffic only, so it works better between stepping stones than as a play lawn.
Preparing the Soil
Good drainage is the key to healthy creeping thyme.
- First, clear weeds and grass from the planting area, roots included.
- Next, loosen the top few inches of soil with a fork.
- If the soil is sandy or loamy and drains quickly, you can plant right away.
- If the soil is heavy clay or stays soggy, do not plant in it directly. Instead, use a raised bed or a container, as the RHS advises. In a bed, mixing in some coarse grit can also help water drain away.
For pots, the RHS recommends a soil-based compost mixed with up to 25% horticultural grit. Use a pot at least 6 inches (15 cm) wide with plenty of drainage holes.
The Best Time of Year to Plant
The RHS recommends planting thyme from mid-spring to early summer. If you raised your plants indoors, harden them off first. To do this, put them outside for a few hours a day and gradually lengthen the time over a week or two.
How to Plant Creeping Thyme Step by Step
- First, pick a sunny spot with free-draining soil.
- Next, prepare the soil as described above.
- Then dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of each plant.
- Space the plants 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) apart, as the RHS advises for thyme.
- After that, set each plant in its hole at the same depth it grew in the pot. Fill in around it and press the soil down gently.
- Finally, water well after planting.
Water newly planted thyme regularly until it settles in. Once established, thyme is drought tolerant and rarely needs watering, according to the RHS.
How many plants do you need? At 12-inch spacing, you need about one plant per square foot. At 8-inch spacing, you need about two plants per square foot. Closer spacing fills in faster, but it costs more.
Planting Between Paving Stones
Creeping thyme is a classic choice for the gaps between stepping stones and pavers.
- First, remove old weeds and loose debris from the gap.
- Next, fill the gap with gritty, free-draining soil.
- Then plant a small thyme plant or a divided piece in the gap, at the same depth it grew before.
- Water it in, and keep the soil lightly damp until the plant roots.
The RHS lists varieties such as ‘Goldstream’ and ‘Snowdrift’ as suitable for paving crevices, where they release fragrance when trodden on. Keep traffic light while the plants establish.
Other Ways to Plant Creeping Thyme: Seed, Division and Cuttings
Plants from a nursery are the quickest route. However, you can also grow creeping thyme in other ways.
- From seed. Sow indoors in spring on moist, peat-free seed compost. Scatter the seed thinly and do not cover it. Keep it at 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F). Germination takes about two weeks. Pot the seedlings on when they have several leaves, harden them off, and plant them out once they are well rooted. Seed from named varieties may not match the parent plant.
- By division. Divide established plants in spring or autumn. The RHS says this suits creeping, mat-forming thymes. To do it, dig up a clump, split it into pieces that each have roots, and replant them at the same depth.
- By cuttings. Take softwood cuttings from new growth in spring or early summer, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Our guide to growing thyme from cuttings explains each step.
- By layering. In spring or autumn, peg low stems into the soil so they root. Then pot up or move any stems that have rooted.
Caring for Creeping Thyme After You Plant It
- Watering. Water new plants and container plants in hot, dry weather. Otherwise, leave them alone.
- Trimming. Trim after flowering to keep the plant compact. The RHS says creeping types need only a very light trim, and it warns that stems may not regrow if you cut hard into old wood. Therefore, trim the green growth and leave the bare wood alone.
- Weeds. Pull weeds by hand while the plants are small, because they can crowd young plants before the mat fills in.
- Containers. Move potted plants to a sheltered spot in winter.
- Patience. Creeping thyme fills in gradually. The RHS lists time to full size as 5 to 10 years for two of the varieties above, so expect a slow carpet.
Growing Creeping Thyme in Cold Climates
The RHS says most widely sold thyme varieties withstand frost, but you should check before you buy. Less hardy types are best grown in containers and moved into shelter for winter. In wet winters or high-rainfall areas, protect plants in the ground with cloches.
The H4 and H5 ratings above are the RHS scale for the UK. If you garden elsewhere, check the plant label for your local hardiness zone, and ask a local garden center which varieties survive your winters.
Garden Uses and Design Ideas
The RHS suggests creeping thyme for ground cover, gravel gardens, rock gardens, garden edging, cottage gardens and wildlife gardens. For example, you can:
- Plant it between paving stones, where light foot traffic releases its scent.
- Use it to edge a path or border.
- Tuck it into the gaps in a rock wall or gravel bed.
- Add it to a sunny container with other drought-tolerant plants.
Because creeping thyme spreads along the ground, it can move into nearby beds. Therefore, plant it next to a path or edging, or grow it in a container if you want to limit its spread.
Common Problems
- Root rot. Wet soil is the main risk. Use free-draining soil, and move the plant to a container or raised bed if your ground stays damp.
- Dead or brown patches. These often point to soggy soil, especially after a wet winter.
- Slugs and snails. They may eat young shoots. Check new plants regularly.
- Damping off in seedlings. Seedlings are prone to this fungal problem. Use clean pots and fresh seed compost, and avoid overwatering.
The RHS describes all three varieties above as generally pest-free and disease-free. Once established, thyme is usually trouble-free in warm, sunny, free-draining conditions.
Before You Go – How to Plant Creeping Thyme
Knowing how to plant creeping thyme is mostly about the site. Choose full sun and free-draining soil, space the plants 8 to 12 inches apart, and water only while they settle in. Then trim lightly after flowering and enjoy a fragrant carpet that fills in over time.
References – How to Plant Creeping Thyme
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, by James A. Duke, Pub. CRP Second Edition 2007
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Published by Dorling Kindersley
Sources
- Royal Horticultural Society. Thyme: growing guide.
- Royal Horticultural Society. Thymus serpyllum ‘Albus’ (creeping thyme).
- Royal Horticultural Society. Thymus serpyllum ‘Goldstream’ (creeping thyme).
- Royal Horticultural Society. Thymus serpyllum ‘Snowdrift’ (creeping thyme).
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Frequently Asked Questions – How to Plant Creeping Thyme
When is the best time to plant creeping thyme?
Plant from mid-spring to early summer, according to the RHS.
How far apart should I plant creeping thyme?
Space plants 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) apart.
What soil does creeping thyme like?
Light, free-draining soil. The RHS lists ‘Albus’ and ‘Goldstream’ as happiest in neutral to alkaline soil, while ‘Snowdrift’ also grows in acid soil.
How often should I water creeping thyme?
Water new plants until they settle in. After that, creeping thyme is drought tolerant and rarely needs watering.
Can creeping thyme replace a lawn?
Not for heavy use. The RHS recommends it for areas with light foot traffic, so it suits paths and paving better than a play lawn.
Will creeping thyme survive winter?
Most widely sold varieties withstand frost, according to the RHS, but check the label for your area. Protect plants in wet winters.
How long does creeping thyme take to fill in?
It depends on the variety, the soil and the sun. The RHS lists 5 to 10 years to full size for ‘Albus’ and ‘Goldstream’, so be patient.