Plant field guide
Creeping Thyme
Low-growing aromatic ground cover that forms a dense mat of tiny fragrant leaves. Covered in tiny flowers in summer. Can handle light foot traffic.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Thymus serpyllum
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Height
- 1 in (3 cm) – 3 in (8 cm)
- Spread
- 12 in (30 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spacing
- 8 in (20 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 4–9; average annual extreme minimum from -30°F (-34.4°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: March.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Excellent between stepping stones and in rock gardens. Very drought tolerant. Fragrant when walked on.
Pruning
Shear lightly after flowering to maintain tight growth. Trim edges to prevent spreading into unwanted areas.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer needed
None (thrives in lean soil)
Mulch
No mulch needed - plant forms its own ground cover.