Red creeping thyme adds appeal to your landscape during springtime, however they are most gorgeous throughout summer as they burst open in stunning crimson flowers. They form a thick mat and are very effective in choking out weeds.

Will creeping thyme grow over grass?

A creeping thyme lawn is not only drought resistant, but it generally requires much less water than traditional turf grasses too. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, can be walked upon, and will rapidly spread to fill in a space. ... The downside of planting thyme as lawn replacement is the cost.

Can you mow over creeping thyme?

Mow the creeping thyme with the lawnmower after the plant finishes flowering in late summer. Cut off the old flowers and overgrown stems. Mow in side-by-side rows, taking care not to mow over any section more than once.

Can you plant red creeping thyme over grass?

Thyme makes a good, natural lawn replacement. Here's how to grow this attractive, drought-resistant herb instead of grass. In an effort to reduce water use and time spent caring for lawns, some gardeners are replacing their turf with thyme. Thyme is an ideal grass alternative.

Does creeping thyme overtake weeds?

Red creeping thyme adds attractive, deep green color to your landscape throughout spring, but it's most beautiful in summer when it erupts in gorgeous crimson flowers. It really, really chokes out the weeds, forming a thick mat.

Great Groundcovers: Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

37 related questions found

Is creeping thyme invasive?

Though it creeps and grows fast, we can be confident to conclude that creeping thyme is not invasive. It is only a fast grower with a beautiful view and soft leaves to walk on.

What happens if you mow creeping thyme?

The plant is considered a woody perennial, but the woody portion is comfortable to stand on and doesn't affect your lawn mower if you do choose to mow it. Some gardeners opt for giving their creeping thyme lawn an occasional once-over with the mower to encourage the herb to spread.

How do I seed my lawn with thyme?

Scatter the Creeping Thyme ground cover seeds and press the seeds firmly into the soil. Keep the seeds consistently moist. If you want to get a jump start on the Creeping Thyme ground cover plants, sow the seed indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost. Transplant the young seedling into the garden 6 - 12 inches apart.

Does creeping thyme come back every year?

Appears to have more flowers than foliage during its peak blooms. Covers the ground in color and breaks up all of the green. Is perennial, returning every year and requiring much less maintenance than grass.

Does creeping thyme repel mosquitoes?

Thyme. Thyme, including red creeping thyme (shown), possesses excellent mosquito-repelling properties. The secret is to crush the leaves to release the volatile oils. You can simply place crushed stems around outdoor seating areas or rub the leaves on skin or clothing.

Can you walk on creeping thyme barefoot?

Here are some good groundcovers you can walk on: Thyme (Thymus sp.) – Includes several walkable groundcovers such as woolly thyme, red creeping thyme, and mother-of-thyme. Thyme thrives in full sunlight and nearly any well-drained soil.

Is creeping thyme soft to walk on?

Ground Cover Thymes are not only beautiful and soft to walk on, they are also the perfect way to keep the ground cool and conserve moisture. Once established, ground cover thymes also help to keep weed seeds from sprouting.

What plants choke out grass?

Ground Cover Plants As Lawn Replacements & Borders

• Creeping Thyme.
• Lamb's Ear.
• Creeping Speedwell.
• Wooly Thyme.
• Creeping Juniper.

Is thyme a good ground cover?

Thymes are versatile, colorful, and fragrant plants, offering masses of delicate, starlike flowers. Tuck a thyme into a dry wall, stone walkway, or rock garden. Use it as a ground cover or as an edging for a perennial border. These hardy little plants add swaths of color and fragrance in unexpected places.

Does creeping thyme have deep roots?

Soil Moisture

However, your soil cannot be extremely dry either because creeping thyme's shallow roots contribute to withering foliage in full-sunlight locations. Consistent watering with good soil drainage provides a healthy environment for spreading vigor.

Is creeping thyme hard to grow from seed?

Thymus vulgaris, common thyme is a shrub-like perennial. Easy to grow from seed though germination is slow taking from 14 to 28 days. Seeding best started indoors in a flat where temperature can be kept around 70°. Thyme seeds are very small, 170,000 to the ounce.

Is creeping thyme easy to grow from seed?

As mentioned, growing creeping thyme is a simple process due to its compatibility in a variety of soils and light exposures. ... Cuttings from the creeping thyme plant should be taken in the early summer. Start seeds when growing creeping thyme indoors or they may be sown in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.

Is creeping thyme poisonous to dogs?

“The creeping thyme does well as a dog-friendly ground cover. Irish Moss, Labrador Violet, Miniature Stonecrop (although invasive, so be careful where you plant it) as well as snow in summer are rather dog-abuse-tolerant and are non-toxic.”

Is creeping thyme resistant to dog urine?

This hardy plant makes a good ground cover to replace grass ruined by Fido and is resistant to the effects of dog urine, according to the Lowe's ProServices website. ... Keep track of it even if you use fencing to contain it, because this ground cover can creep up and over your fence like a climbing vine.

Is thyme safe for dogs?

As far as we know, most herbs—your rosemary, thyme, basil and dill—are safe for cats and dogs, but there is one that frequently colors a person's garden that can cause a sometimes severe—and definitely strange— illness.

How long does it take for creeping thyme to spread?

The less space between leaves, the slower your thyme will spread. Longer segments mean faster growth. Generally, creeping thyme takes one year to get established, and then begins to spread in its second season.

How do you stop creeping thyme from spreading?

Other varieties, which generally grow much faster, will usually do this. You will have to regularly prune the garden to prevent this problem. The white and red creeping thyme, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for people who want their garden to be covered with flowers.

Do Rabbits like creeping thyme?

Creeping Thyme is awesome for landscaping. But they are strong in taste. Rabbits don't like the Creeping Thyme and most of the cases they don't eat the Creeping Thyme.