Thymus praecox
A sweet-flavored flavor of vulgar , herby goodness pennant through the air , receive you into the garden . One step ahead chair you onto a low - growing mat of spicy , lilac - flower thyme .
Have no fear , Thymus praecox , aka creeping thyme , can treat a little foot dealings , releasing its sweet fragrance in return , induce it an excellent option for planting in a paseo or between stepping stones !
An exceeding , pollinator - favorable ground cover , T. praecoxworks well to touch base different spaces in a garden , as a border flora , in between rock paths , in a rock wall , or as a lawn substitute .
‘Albiflorus’
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background handle provide a ten thousand of uses and benefits in the garden . They go as a living mulch by shading the soil , suppressing weeds , and keep up water . All of this helps to make surface soil and forestall corroding .
With so many choice to choose from , it ’s easy to sense overwhelmed when selecting a ground cover . pool stick creeping thyme !
‘Albiflorus’
Drought tolerant , evergreen , low - sustentation , and fragrant , with vibrant pinkish - purple flowers – what ’s not to hump ?
This ground cover is sure to put a smile on your face no matter the season . Read on to learn how to best comprise it into your garden .
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
Propagation
How to Grow
cultivar to Select
Maintenance
Pests and Disease
Best use
Growing to about two to three inches improbable and unfold to more than a infantry across , creeping thyme lean to grow in a dense , matt - alike course .
little , fuzzy grizzly - immature leaves are aromatic and relinquish their fragrance when finely crushed .
Come summer , lavender - pinkish bloom attract butterfly stroke , bee , and other well-disposed pollinator .
Common name(s):Creeping thyme , female parent of thyme
industrial plant type : Perennial woody shrub
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):5a-8b
Native to : southerly , western , and central Europe
Season : Summer
picture : Full Lord’s Day
Soil type : Dry , sandy , rough , well draining
Soil pH:6.0 - 8.0 , slightly acid to alkaline
Spacing : tenuous to 1 column inch ( seeds ) , 8 - 12 inches ( transplantation )
Planting depth:1/16 column inch ( ejaculate ) , profoundness of container ( transplantation )
Mature size:4 - 12 inches x 2 - 6 inch in high spirits
Water pauperism : Low to temperate
Taxonomy
gild : Lamiales
Family : Lamiaceae
Genus : Thymus
specie : Praecox
Cultivars : Albiflorus , Coccineus , Minus
Also live as mother of thyme , T. praecoxis one of about 350 metal money in theThymusgenus — all aromatic herbaceous perennials native to the temperate Mediterranean climate discover in persona of Europe , North Africa , and Asia .
Since antiquity , various specie have been draw rein for their culinary and medicinal dimension .
The name thyme is deduce from the Greek word “ thumos , ” imply smoke . This reference is most in all probability associated with the sacred pattern of burn the herb as incense .
It was also used by the ancient Egyptians for embalming , and by ancient Romanist soldier to invigorate courageousness .
The substantive oil , derived mostly from common thyme , T. vulgaris , is used in modern - solar day soapmaking , cosmetic and dental hygiene product , candy , and chewing gingiva .
pussyfoot thyme , not to be confused with its more culinarily - run full cousin , T. vulgaris , is edible as well , offering a lightsome herbal selection to be used in the kitchen .
you may hear abouthow to arise common thyme in our usher .
Most notably in the garden , creeping thyme ’s greatest function is to work as an aromatic , pollinator - attracting ground cover .
These are excellent companion plants for vegetable gardener to utilize , and they can do to smooth out any harsh quoin in hardscaping .
A low-spirited - maintenance works once established , T. praecoxdoes require a slight TLC to get started .
you may elect to sow seeds or works outset ; both options will lead to lavish , green growth in no thyme ( ha ! ) .
From Seed
Sow seed either indoors , in a greenhouse , or directly out of doors after the danger of Robert Lee Frost has passed . come typically shoot within seven to 21 day at 65 to 70 ° farad .
For maturate indoors , sow seeds inorganic potting soil , either in tray or two - inch containers .
Here ’s how to seed :
Hardening them off in this way allows the seedling to get used to their new environment and reduce the risk of shock when they are planted outside .
For out-of-door seed sowing :
The most important ( and most thought-provoking ) thing to remember with direct seeding is keep the planting orbit systematically moist .
uphold regular tearing after sprouts start shooting up and incrementally comfort up on watering as the plants mature .
From Seedlings or Transplanting
or else , you could implant greenhouse commence instead of come .
plant life starts or transplant your seedlings in the spring , clear indisputable the roots are immerse good in the undercoat and the grime surface achieve the bag of the plant .
Space plants about eight to 12 inches apart , yield them ample elbow room to spread to their full size .
Give works mystifying , veritable lachrymation two to three time per hebdomad for the first pair of month to help roots become establish , then lento decrease the frequency of their watering docket as they suppurate .
When a twelvemonth has gone by since planting time , you should be watering just once or twice a month , depend on rain .
By Division
Make divisions in either spring or fall for a smooth re - establishment .
Some say that the ardent weather and farsighted twenty-four hours of natural spring help the plants quickly gain novel growth , while fall allows the plants to hunker down and endue more vim in their roots . Both timeframes seem to lead to succeeder .
To disunite :
Water these partition as you would new transplants , two to three times per week , slow easing up as they become more naturalized .
Learn more about the methods of propagating thyme here .
Creeping thyme is the case of industrial plant that make you look like a horticulture maven with minimum endeavor . Give it the right conditions , and it will spread out in a fragrant , lush lusterlessness of leafage and prime that adds texture , color , and even a second of culinary potential to your landscape .
It ’s baffling , tolerant , and a fantastic pick for fill in those spaces where grass skin or you just want something a little more interesting underfoot .
Now , let ’s go over the specific ethnical requirements :
Light
Thyme craves sun . It flourish in full sun and wo n’t perform well in tone . Aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight each day , though eight or more is even better .
If you ’re growing it in a spot that have a bit of good afternoon shade , that ’s fine , but quash deeply shaded areas .
More Lord’s Day means more vigorous growth , honest efflorescence , and enhanced essential oil contentedness , which means more redolence and tang .
Soil
The roots of creeping thyme need good drainage above all else . This plant evolved to grow in rocky , lean grease , so avoid rich , water - retentive media .
It favour sandy or gritty soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH , around 6.0 to 8.0.If your soil is heavy or clay - like , amend it with common moxie , gravel , or even small pebble to improve drainage . fire beds and rock gardens are excellent choice .
Be careful with adding moxie in Lucius DuBignon Clay territory . Lucius DuBignon Clay and sand can become heavily as concrete when its wry .
Temperature and Humidity
This intrepid recurrent thrives in USDA zona 4 to 9 and is amazingly bouncy to a range of temperature extremes once established .
creep thyme can handle heat and drouth with ease , and while it endure some humidity , it does best in ironic climate .
Wet condition , especially combined with hapless air circulation , can lead to waste or fungous disease . If you ’re gardening in a more humid zone , space plant well to control air movement .
Water
freshly planted creeping thyme will necessitate even wet until it ’s shew — about the first month or so .
After that , it prefers to be kept on the dry side . Water only when the top inch of soil is totally dry .
Established plants are drought patient of and overwatering can get root bunk . If you ’re unsure whether to water supply , expect another day .
Fertilizer
Less is more . Creeping thyme is not a intemperate tributary , and rich grime can actually reduce its olfactory property and smack . In most cases , there ’s no need to fertilize at all .
If your soil is specially exhaust , you’re able to utilize a thin out , balanced limpid fertilizer in early spring , but do n’t make it a regular riding habit .
Container Growing
Creeping thyme is a perfect candidate for container gardening . Choose a pot with excellent drainage and satisfy it with a gritty , well - draining mix — something like cactus or succulent pot dirt work beautifully .
container should be placed in full Lord’s Day and set aside to dry out between lachrymation . Thyme in pots can be a bit more sensitive to overwatering , so be indisputable to topple out any overindulgence from the saucer after watering .
Keep in judgement that container - grown thyme may not winter well out of doors in colder climates , so design to move it to a protected location or address it as an annual .
Overwintering
mouse thyme is hardy in USDA Zones 5a-8b and ordinarily does n’t need much winter care .
In frigid zone , apply a light mulch like wheat or pine needles after the first hard frost to insulate the rootage , and take out it in early give . Skip settle pruning — hold off until springiness to trim winter harm .
For container - grown thyme , move pots to a sheltered spot like an unheated garage or sink the container and mulch . Water slenderly through winter , just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely .
While the uncultivated metal money plant life has small clusters of tubelike , lilac - colored flowers , there are a few cultivars that offer up different flower semblance and plant form .
Albiflorus
‘ Albiflorus ’ features nose candy - blank flowers and bright greenish , redolent foliage that spreads speedily to organise a obtuse mat .
With a mature height of just two to three inches and a spread of one to two feet , it is ideal for planting in between pave stones or in rock gardens .
Coccineus
‘ Coccineus ’ bluster an abundance of vivacious ruby pink flower clusters .
‘ Coccineus ’
plant grow to a ripe stature of just one to two inches marvellous and a spread of 12 to 18 inches . Its light green foliage turn an attractive bronze people of colour in free fall .
you may get hold plant useable for leverage in quart - size containersat Nature Hills Nursery .
Minus
‘ subtraction ’ has the tiniest of all the thyme leaves , with small clusters of lilac - pinkish flowers . The miniature leaves make it look almost like moss , forming a dense undercoat screen .
This cultivar does not bloom as prolifically as most other cultivar , but it shape dim mats of green . Expect a matured stature of one to two inch with a spread of up to 16 inches .
Once established , T. praecoxis a pretty hired hand - off garden guardian . Some periodic water here or there is all these plant really need – though not too much , as they can easily become oversaturated .
Again , fertilisation is not commend , asT. praecoxthrives in lean land .
This works will spread quickly within the first span of class . Three to four twelvemonth down the route , the original parent part of the plant will grow thin and should be split up as described above to encourage healthy , new growth .
Keep in mind , denser plantings provide a more immediate succulent look , but over time the plant will struggle to reach for the sun , resulting in less healthy , leggy growth .
Avoid this by thin out out or transplanting divisions to other share of your garden , so that each plant has copious space to produce .
If plant in an expanse with poor drainage or a section of the garden that is overwatered , T. praecoxmay be susceptible to root rot .
The easy way to debar such a fate is to see to it that the designated planting sphere is passably tight - draining and kept reasonably dry .
Slugs may be an issue , but these can easily be treated with weekly applications of food - gradediatomaceous earthly concern .
Other than that , there are no serious insect or disease problem to speak of ! A gardener ’s dream .
The dull , creeping nature of this species makes it an excellent soil cover and hold up mulch . As such , T. praecoxhelps to crush weeds , conserve soil wet , and prevent erosion .
In a garden scope , this species looks best planted in a walkway , in between stepping stones or pavers , as crawl thyme is broad of temperate metrical unit dealings and resign a pleasant aroma when its leave of absence are lightly crushed .
It also works well in rock-and-roll wall or as a goody border planting . Since each flora spreads to just over a foot wide , it ’s just to institute en masse shot for a full - flowering , fragrant effect !
Finally , as I mentioned previously , though this is not the traditional culinary potpourri ( T. vulgaris ) , the leaf ofT. praecoxare still edible and will provide a tasty flavor to any stew , sauce , or salad .
Welcome to the Garden
Creeping thyme pull in for a delightful and frail accession to any full sun garden .
With pocket-sized aromatic silvery - green leaves and vibrant lavender - pink or white flower clusters , this festive ground cover may just creep properly out of the nursery and into your heart !
If you have experience growing fawn thyme in your garden or have any enquiry , drop a commentary below — we ’d love to learn your feedback !
And for more selective information on grow otherground covering , check out these clause next :
© necessitate the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . in the first place published April 18th , 2021 . Last updated : May 20th , 2025 . merchandise photo via Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock .
About
Eleanor Wells
