Grow a fragrant, low-growing garden carpet with Creeping Thyme Seeds. Also known as Wild Thyme or Mother-of-Thyme, Thymus serpyllum is a hardy perennial herb that forms dense creeping foliage with small purple flowers.

This heirloom, Non-GMO, open-pollinated variety is excellent for ground cover, rock gardens, borders, containers, retaining walls, pathway edges, pollinator gardens, and spaces around stepping stones. Creeping Thyme stays compact, usually reaching only about 4–8 inches tall, while gradually spreading into a soft, aromatic mat.

Product Details

• Common Name: Creeping Thyme
• Other Names: Wild Thyme, Mother-of-Thyme
• Botanical Name: Thymus serpyllum
• Seed Type: Heirloom, Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated
• Plant Type: Perennial herb and flowering ground cover
• Growth Habit: Low-growing, spreading, creeping
• Mature Height: Approximately 4–8 inches
• Flower Color: Purple
• Foliage Color: Green to silver-green
• Bloom Season: Summer through fall
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Watering: Moderate while establishing; low once established
• Plant Spacing: Approximately 12 inches
• Sowing Depth: Surface sow or cover no more than about 1/16 inch
• Best Uses: Ground cover, rock gardens, borders, containers, pathways, pollinator gardens, and erosion-control areas

How to Grow Creeping Thyme from Seed

Creeping Thyme seeds are very small and need light near the soil surface to germinate. Do not bury them deeply.

1. Fill a tray or pot with fine, well-drained seed-starting mix.
2. Moisten the soil before sowing and allow excess water to drain.
3. Scatter seeds evenly over the surface.
4. Press seeds gently into the soil without covering them deeply.
5. If needed, apply only a very thin layer of fine soil or vermiculite.
6. Mist carefully with a fine spray bottle.
7. Keep the surface consistently moist until germination.
8. Provide bright light and good airflow.

Seeds commonly germinate in approximately 1–3 weeks under favorable conditions. Do not allow the soil surface to dry completely while seeds are germinating.

Starting Indoors

Seeds may be started indoors approximately 6–8 weeks before the last expected spring frost.

After seedlings become established, gradually harden them off by placing them outdoors for increasing periods each day. Transplant after the danger of frost has passed.

Direct Sowing

Creeping Thyme can also be direct sown outdoors after the last spring frost. Prepare loose, weed-free, well-drained soil and lightly press the seeds onto the surface.

Keep the planting area evenly moist until seedlings become established.

Soil, Light and Watering

Creeping Thyme performs best in well-drained soil. Avoid consistently wet or waterlogged locations.

Full sun encourages compact growth and abundant flowering, although the plant can tolerate partial shade.

Water regularly while plants are young. Once established, Creeping Thyme becomes more drought tolerant and generally requires less frequent watering.

Growth and Flowering

Creeping Thyme develops gradually. Plants commonly focus on foliage and root establishment during the first growing season, with fuller growth and flowering often occurring during the second year.

Once established, the plants can be propagated by division or cuttings. Older plants may become woody after several years and can be trimmed or divided to encourage fresh growth.

Landscape Uses

Creeping Thyme is well suited for:

• Flowering ground cover
• Rock gardens
• Cottage gardens
• Pathway borders
• Spaces around stepping stones
• Container gardens
• Retaining walls
• Pollinator gardens
• Fragrant ornamental landscapes
• Dry, sunny garden areas

Important Note

This listing is for seeds only, not live plants.

Creeping Thyme is a slow-establishing perennial and may require more than one growing season to form dense coverage. Germination and growing results may vary depending on temperature, soil drainage, moisture, sunlight, planting depth, seed storage, and local growing conditions.