Creeping Thyme Thymus praecox

Creeping thyme is a low-growing, creeping, woody-based perennial.in the Lamiaceae (mint) family native to Greenland, Europe, and Turkey. The origin of the word "thyme" is from the Greek word thumos, which means courage. In the past, thyme was thought to have been an emblem of bravery. The word "thyme" may also have been derived from the Greek word thymos, meaning "perfume." The plants of this genus are typically fragrant. The species name, praecox, is Latin and means "very early." This may refer to its early flowering.

Creeping thyme performs best in full sun and well-drained soils. The plant does well in sandy or rocky soils. It is intolerant of wet or poorly drained soils. The plant requires very little maintenance. It will remain evergreen during mild winters. Pruning of the stems is recommended to maintain their appearance. 

The stems tend to spread out horizontally and take root to form a flat mat. The plant measures 3 to 6 inches tall and due to its creeping habit, it forms a dense mat that tolerates moderate foot traffic.  The leaves are fuzzy, fragrant, and bluish-green in color. The flowers are tiny, tubular, pinkish-purple blooms that appear from June to September.  The common method of propagation is by division in the spring or late fall. Semi-hard cuttings may be obtained in mid to late summer.

Creeping thyme has a spicy fragrance making it an excellent choice for s sensory garden and may be used as a lawn substitute or to fill in between pavers.. Although it is a member of the thyme family, it is rarely used as a culinary herb.  It attracts bees and butterflies and is deer and rabbit resistant. It may be used as a container plant, groundcover, or as a border for patios or sidewalks. The spreading form sprawls easily over rocks, ledges, or can cover a dry bank. 

Quick ID HInts:

• Leaves hairy, ovate, bluish-green
• Spicy fragrance
• Tiny tubular pinkish-purple flower, depending on the cultivar
• Hairy, creeping, horizontal stems
• Groundcover

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant insect or disease problems except for possible slugs. It may be affected by root rot when planted in areas with poor drainage.

More information on Thymus.