Creeping Thyme
Thymus serpyllum
Also known as
Wild Thyme, Breckland Thyme, Mother Of Thyme, Breckland-Garden, Hillwort, Lemon Thyme, Penny Mountain, Thyme, Creeping red thyme
Thymus serpyllum kz1 by Kenraiz (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Light watering
Frost Hardy
H5
RHS hardiness
-15°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
15cm | Max | 15cm |
5cm | Min | 10cm |
5 years to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a strong fragrance
More images of Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme Overview
Easy to grow, edible perennial, commonly known as Creeping Thyme. Thymus serpyllum is ideal to plant as ground cover and along pathways. The flowers are a nice decorative feature in the garden and the leaves are edible, used in salads or as an ingredient in cooking.
Common problems with Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme Companion Plants
Thyme companion planting is credited with repelling cabbage worms, corn earworms, tomato hornworms and flea beetles. Cabbage, eggplant, salad burnet, potatoes and strawberries will benefit when companion planted with thyme.
How to harvest Creeping Thyme
Wild thyme is evergreen and the leaves can be harvested by hand throughout the year as needed.
How to propagate Creeping Thyme
Seed
Sow directly on the surface or slightly cover with soil.
Cuttings
Cuttings of young shoots, 5 - 8cm with a heel. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel.
Division
Division.
Special features of Creeping Thyme
Attracts useful insects
Bees, Butterflies
Indoor plant
Place in an area with at least 6 hours direct sun per day.
Drought resistant
Once established needs small amounts of water to grow.
Pot plant
Use sandy, well drained soil. Water well and allow the top cm to dry out between watering.
Other uses of Creeping Thyme
Walls, rock garden, ground cover, culinary, medicinal. Summer interest.
Medicinal
Anticeptic properties.
Edible
The leaves can be used in cooking and teas.
