
You can grow them in loam, sand, or even rocky soil.Ĭreeping thyme can grow normally in dry soil and doesn’t like wet soil. Soil RequirementsĪs we already mentioned, these plants thrive in well-draining and loose soil. If your whole garden isn’t exposed to the sun, don’t worry because they can still grow in partial shade. Therefore, if you are considering using creeping thyme as a ground cover plant, definitely choose a sunny area of your garden.
GROWING ELFIN THYME FULL
These plants originate from hot Mediterranean regions where they adapted to grow in full sunlight for the whole day! We mainly use these plants as ground covers because they can grow in full sun. Check out the general information below, and keep reading to learn more details about taking care of this plant! Common Name If creeping thyme is grown in the right climate, you don’t have to worry much about plant care because it’s known for being very hardy and low-maintenance. Once the seeds have sprouted, transplant your new creeper to the garden – just make sure that the last frost date has passed. You should take the cuttings in early summer if you want to plant them however, if you choose to grow the plant from seeds I would suggest you start the seeds indoors in the early spring. You can grow creeping thyme from either seeds or cuttings. They thrive in alkaline soil, so make sure to check the pH levels before planting. However, it can also grow in different soil types, including sand and rocky soil. Though this plant can grow in various conditions, it prefers well-draining, nutrient-rich, and loamy soil. There are a few things you must take into consideration when planting creeping thyme. The larvae will subsequently develop into adult butterflies after feeding on the leaves.Ĭreeping thyme can grow normally in USDA zones 4 to 9, though this may vary depending on the variety.Ĭreeping thyme plants are great for decorating your rock garden, walkways, and stepping stones, but could also be used as a border plant for your garden because they act as deer and rabbit deterrents. Two species of butterflies-the small blue butterfly and the giant blue butterfly-lay their eggs in the flowers of creeping thyme. These flowers attract pollinators, and are especially important for butterflies. These are great for contrasting dark green leaves in the background. They are usually purple or pink flowers, but there are some varieties that produce white flowers as well. This plant produces beautiful flowers in many colors. This is a thyme variety, and we know that thyme is often used in cooking, which means that by planting creeping thyme you’ll get both stunning ground cover and a new spice for cooking!

When we say that a plant is perennial, it means that it grows back every year! Therefore, if you are looking for an attractive ground cover that smells nice and is also deer and rabbit resistant, you should definitely consider creeping thyme! Everything You Need To Know About Creeping ThymeĬreeping Thyme, also known as Thymus serpyllum, is a perennial plant that belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae. The answer is no though it will spread fast in a garden, it won’t bother the other plants. So, let’s cut the chase - is creeping thyme really invasive? In addition to this, it can serve as garden perfume due to its amazing fragrance. What makes creeping thyme great as a ground cover is that it can tolerate foot traffic, so it’s perfect for people with kids and pets.

You will have to prune the plant to maintain its shape from time to time, and you don‘t have to worry about mowing because creeping thyme can only grow up to 2 inches tall! This is because the plant can propagate by projecting stolons along the ground or developing roots (rhizomes) under the ground. The truth is that once you plant creeping thyme, it will grow quickly and spread to the rest of the garden. In order to tell whether creeping thyme is invasive, we have to first look at its growth habits.
