How to Grow and Care for Creeping Thyme in Containers

Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum

Intro: Creeping thyme is a low-growing aromatic herb that can be used as ground cover or as a small display plant in containers. It grows in a low, tight and dense mat that will creep along the potting soil until it runs out of space to grow. Grow it in a small plant container, such as a coffee cup as decoration on a bistro table, or use it to cover any exposed potting soil below a tall, thin plant, such as a tree. Creeping thyme will bloom with many tiny purple flowers that will attract pollinators to your balcony container garden. Other varieties can display pink flowers.

 

Scientific Name: Thymus serpyllum

Plant Type: Perennial subshrub

Light: Creeping thyme prefers full sun, but it can stand part sun.

Water: When it comes to watering creeping thyme, keep its potting soil constantly moist but never soggy. It can tolerate periods of drought.

Zone: 4 to 9

Fertilizer: Use a slow-release fertilizer on your creeping thyme plant once every four months or fertilize with a half dose of liquid fertilizer every two weeks or so.

Pests and Diseases: The creeping thyme is a relatively pest-free and disease-resistant container plant.

Propagation: The most common propagation method of creeping thyme is with seeds, but division, layering and cutting are other methods that can be used in the summertime.

Misc. Info: Dry the leaves of creeping thyme and make it into a tea. This container plant is often grown in kitchen gardens and can be used to season many culinary dishes.

 

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