Creeping Mother of Thyme

Thymus serpyllum

Other Names: Wild Thyme, Creeping Thyme

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Groundcover

Height or Length at Maturity: 2-3″

Width at Maturity: 18″ or more

Spacing: 15-18″ apart for mass plantings; 6-12″ apart between stepping stones

Growth Habit / Form: Spreading, Mat-forming

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Deep Pink

Flower Type: Single, Tubular

Flower Size: Small

Flowering Period: Late Spring through Late Summer

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Blue Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Berries: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Afternoon Sun

Water Needs: Average; Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amend clay to ensure good drainage), Gritty, Loam, Rocky, Sandy, Silt – Low fertility soil

Soil Drainage/Moisture: Moist But Well Drained to Dry when established – Soil must drain well!

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.0

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Butterflies, Beneficial Pollinators

Resistances: Cold (-30F / Zone 4-8), Deer, Disease, Heat, Insect, Foot Traffic, Rocky Soil

Description

Thymus serpyllum, commonly called Mother of Thyme, is excellent as a small area ground cover or filler between stepping stones and crevices, or to sprawl over small rocks and boulders or cascade over ledges in the rock garden. It is a charming and reliable low spreader that bursts into bloom in late spring to early summer with abundant clusters of deep pinkish purple flowers that cover a 2 to 3 inch high mat of tiny blue-green leaves on stems that spread 18 inches wide or so. Its flowers are well-loved by butterflies and other beneficial pollinating insects. Although leaves are aromatic with a fragrance of mint, this species is not used much for culinary purposes. An easy perennial to grow in full sun and sharply drained soil, even gritty to rocky soil of low fertility.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 2 to 3 inches tall and spreading to 18 inches or more over time, Creeping Mother of Thyme tolerates foot traffic well so is perfect for use to fill the gaps between stepping stones and pavers or as a groundcover or underplanting for shrubs, roses, perennials and small trees, such as Japanese maples. Also excellent to sprawl over small rocks and boulders or cascade over walls. Also serves nicely as a soil cover and spiller plant in container gardens. A fine addition to rock gardens, beneficial pollinator gardens, pink theme gardens, and the Xeriscape (low water needs).

Tip: When planting between closely spaced stepping stones or pavers the root ball of some creeping thymes can be divided so as to fit in to the smaller gaps. Just make sure plants have rooted across the soil surface in the pot. If there is only a single stem with branches do not try to divide the plant!

Suggested Spacing: 15-18 inches apart for mass planting; 6 to 12 inches apart to fill gaps between stepping stones or pavers

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Growing Preferences

When planted right and in the right spot, Creeping Mother of Thyme is easy to grow. It grows best in light, lightly moist to dry, well-drained soil and full sun. A little shade is okay. Will tolerate rainy periods but constantly soggy or wet soil is a killer. So make sure to plant in a well-drained site. Best grown in loose, sandy, gritty or rocky, average to low fertility soils with sharp drainage. Tolerates drought when established. Plants are evergreen in mild winters. Cut back stems as desired to control spread or for appearance.

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