#Creeping thyme ground cover varieties how to#
#Creeping thyme ground cover varieties full#

After a few weeks, you can test the cutting by pulling on it gently.

You may cover it with plastic to retain moisture and then place in a sunny area.

Place the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone powder, and then insert it immediately into the growing medium.

Poke a small hole into the medium using a Q-tip or pencil.

Have a planting tray ready with a growing medium such as seed starting mix or coarse sand.

Remove the leaves from the bottom third of the stem.

Take a cutting from a stem during the late spring or early summer when the plant is thriving.

Propagation is growing a new plant from a cutting. Small chunks of it can be dug up and transplanted elsewhere, and those will usually continue expanding in their new home. Thyme is a carpeter, so it sends down more stems into the ground as it expands.

Most creeping thyme plants are easily reproduced via division or propagation. Creeping thyme grows in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 9, although some varieties do better in warmer climates.(This gives the other plants in your garden the benefit of those extra bee visitors who will facilitate more pollination.) Bees are attracted to it-you’ll see bees buzzing about it during summer mornings.It's ideal for gardeners who are worried about pests, pets, or kids traipsing through their yard and holds up very well if walked on.Although it is not often harvested, creeping thyme, like any thyme variety, is edible and can be made into teas or other herbal remedies.It has tiny, hair-covered oval leaves with similarly-sized flowers that grow in clumps.It does not grow very tall-only about two to four inches maximum, so it won’t steal the show from other plants or shrubs.It's perennial, returning every year and requiring much less maintenance than grass.It covers the ground in color and breaks up all of the green.During its peak blooms, it appears to have more flowers than foliage.Plant creeping thyme 8 to 12 inches (20-30.5 cm.) apart to allow for its spreading habitat. Start seeds when growing creeping thyme indoors or they may be sown in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Cuttings from the creeping thyme plant should be taken in the early summer. The soil pH for growing creeping thyme plants should be neutral to slightly alkaline.Ĭreeping thyme ground cover can be propagated via stem cuttings or divisions and, of course, can be purchased from the local nursery as either established plantings or seeds. Soil should be kept moist but not wet, as the growing creeping thyme plant is susceptible to root drowning and edema.

#Creeping thyme ground cover varieties full#

Although this ground cover prefers well-drained lightly textured soils, it will grow quite well in less than desirable medium and thrive from full sun to light shade environments.

#Creeping thyme ground cover varieties how to#

How to Plant Creeping ThymeĪs mentioned, growing creeping thyme is a simple process due to its compatibility in a variety of soils and light exposures. In fact, the pollen from the blooming thyme will flavor the resulting honey. Creeping thyme is also capable of withstanding tromping upon by rambunctious kids (making it kid resistant as well!), which makes it an exceptional planting choice anywhere that has frequent foot traffic.įlowering creeping thyme is very attractive to bees and is a nice addition to a garden focused on honeybees. Harvest creeping thyme in the morning when the essential oils of the plant are at their peak.Īnother creeping thyme fact is despite its enticing odor, growing creeping thyme ground cover is deer resistant, making it an ideal landscape candidate in areas frequented by them. To harvest creeping thyme ground cover, either remove the leaves from the stems or dry them by snipping from the plant and hanging them upside down in a dark, well-aerated area. Just like other thyme varieties, creeping thyme is edible with a flavor and aroma akin to mint when crushed or steeped for teas or tinctures. serpyllum is another creeping thyme variety. will appear in low, dense mats, which sprawl randomly and quickly fill in areas as a ground cover. An evergreen with lightly haired foliage, this tiny-growing creeping thyme varietal - rarely over 3 inches or 7.5 cm. Thymus praecox is a low-growing perennial hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 with fairly minimal requirements. Let’s learn more about creeping thyme plant care. It is excellent planted as a lawn substitute or among stepping stones or pavers to create a living patio. Creeping thyme, also known commonly as ‘Mother of Thyme,’ is an easily grown, spreading thyme variety.