Creeping Thyme

Creeping Thyme

Botanical name: Thymus serpyllum

Bloom type: Perennial 

Creeping thyme is a dwarf, low-growing, creeping, woody evergreen. It is grown primarily as an ornamental groundcover. The plant's leaves are aromatic, but it is not typically used in cooking. It measures 2-3 inches tall and 3 to 12 inches wide.  

Creeping Thyme is native of Northern Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. 

The origin of the word "thyme" is from the Greek word thumos, which means "courage." During the Medieval Times, thyme was thought to have been an emblem of bravery. The word "thyme" may also be derived from the Greek word thymos, meaning "perfume."  The plant is fragrant and aromatic. The species name serpyllum is Greek and means "creeping or trailing growth habit."

The plant is hairy, prostrate, and creeping. It prefers full sun and tolerates poor soil while thriving in sandy, gritty, or rocky soil. It is drought tolerant and prefers average to dry medium moisture. It will remain evergreen during mild winters.

The flowers are tiny tubular bell-shaped blooms that are deep pink to purple. The blooms appear on the upright stems from June to September. The leaves are tiny, pubescent, and blue-green in color. The stems are thin and woody. Creeping thyme is low maintenance, but it does require pruning to manage growth and decrease woody stems The most common method of propagation is by seed. 

Creeping Thyme would make a wonderful addition to a home garden. It provides groundcover for borders, patios, and pathways. The plant will fill in crevices of stepping stones or sprawl over rocks. It may also be grown in containers. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the nectar of the flowers and the plant is deer and rabbit resistant. 

There are numerous cultivars with varying sizes and may be either creeping or upright. The cultivar's flowers range from white, pink, red, or purple. The leaf colors of the cultivars vary from dark green, gold, or variegated.

Quick ID Hints:

• Elliptical, round-tipped leaves are 1/4 inches long, pubescent, and fragrant
• Tiny deep pink to purple tubular-shaped flowers occur along a raceme
• Creeping, prostrate, woody base which grows up to 3 inches tall and 12 inches wide

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  There are no serious insect or disease problems. The plant is susceptible to rot if overwatered or if the soil is poorly drained. Spider mites may occur during a hot, dry summer.

Information sourced from the NC Master Gardener Plant Toolbox