If you think that thyme is only present as a herb that you can plant in small pots, then you will be surprised to know that there is a specific variety of the plant known as creeping thyme. Scientifically known as Thymus serpyllum, this plant is perfect as a ground cover, as it falls outside the pot or the area where it is planted and creeps along the ground. 

Whether you have a simple patio garden or you have a large backyard space, adding the red creeping thyme to your landscape will not only elevate its appearance but also make your garden more fragrant. So, get ready to know how you can easily grow this low-maintenance plant. 

Where and how to plant creeping thyme?

The majority of thyme varieties can grow easily between USDA zones 4 and 9, but you should still check the tags of the plant to be sure. Thyme is not too picky about the kind of soil it needs, as you only need to make sure that the pH is perfect. From thin soil to rocky soil, thyme can grow easily if the soil has a slightly alkaline to neutral pH. 

You should transplant thyme when the last frost has passed, as it thrives in warm and sunny weather. Make sure that you have planted your seeds indoors around 8-10 weeks before transplantation. 

Caring for your Creeping Thyme plant

Red Creeping thyme is pretty tough and doesn’t need much water once it settles in. When you first plant it, give it a little extra care, keep the soil moist so the roots get going. After that, you really don’t have to worry about watering, unless you’re dealing with a long stretch of hot, dry weather. Good compost in the soil helps the thyme handle dry spells.

Forget about fertilizer unless your soil is truly poor. Thyme actually prefers rough, gravelly dirt, just like in the Mediterranean, so it’s fine on its own. You don’t need to prune much either. If it starts looking woody or sparse, just give it a light trim in spring to boost new growth. You need to make sure that the root of the plant does not rot, as it can result in growth issues for the plant. 

Once the plants reach maturity, you can easily divide them to spread your ground cover. Grab a trowel, dig up a chunk with some roots and stems, and replant it wherever you want more thyme to grow. That’s all there is to it.