Creeping thyme care guide
Thymus serpyllum
Also known as: Wild thyme, Mother of thyme
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Creeping thyme
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 3 days
- In a pot, water a day or two after the topsoil dries, as a guide; once established in the ground it usually needs water only in long dry spells.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 5 days
- The soil dries slowly in cooler weather, so wait a few days after it dries, as a guide.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 10 days
- Growth slows in winter; water a pot on a mild morning a few days after the soil dries, as a guide.
Light and placement for Creeping thyme
It spreads flat along the ground, so plant it in a sunny, well-drained spot as a guide; it generally fills in and flowers best with at least half a day of sun, and dense patches are sheared before the rainy season for airflow.
Overwintering Creeping thyme
Overwintering guide: −15°C (5°F) or above
Very hardy and generally overwinters outdoors without protection; the leaves may redden or thin in the cold but usually regrow in spring, and pots are kept from staying wet.
Fertilizing and repotting Creeping thyme
Fertilizer
It grows in poor soil and needs almost no feeding: for pots, a little slow-release fertilizer in spring and fall as a guide, and in the ground a little mixed in at planting is enough.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep), Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Common problems with Creeping thyme
- Dense mats steam in the rainy season and summer, and patches brown and die.
- Planted in poorly drained ground, it rots in long rains.
- In shade it grows sparse and barely flowers.
Tips for growing Creeping thyme
- Shearing it to about half its height after flowering helps prevent rot from humidity.
- Pin long stems down over bare patches and they will root.
- For ground cover, space plants about 20 to 30 cm apart.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
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