Creeping Thyme

Thymus serpyllum

Spreads into a low, dense mat and thrives on neglect — winter wet is the one thing that finishes it.

Light Full sun, six hours a day or more.
Water Very drought-tolerant; overwatering is the real danger.
Height 8 cm
Spread 17.7 in
Spacing 25 cm
Per square 1 / sq ft

Spacing & sowing

Plant spacing
9.8 in
In-row spacing
9.8 in
Between rows
11.8 in
Square-foot density
1 per square

Growing

Type
Herb · Perennial
Botanical family
Mixed / other
Sunlight
Full sun, six hours a day or more.
Watering
Very drought-tolerant; overwatering is the real danger.
Feeding
None needed; lean soil is ideal.
Frost tolerant
Yes
Flowering
June
Pruning
Shear it lightly after flowering, keeping off the old wood.

Through the year

  • Mar–Jun Bud Break
  • Jun–Nov Flowering
  • Nov–Dec Senescence
  • Jan–Mar Senescence

Companions

Lavender, Sedum, Dianthus, Rosemary

Pests & problems

  • Generally trouble-free No notable pest or disease problems when grown in the right conditions — one of the easy ones.