Growing a perfect creeping thyme plant in your backyard

Thyme is a highly useful herb that is also quite easy to grow. Since thyme is a low-maintenance plant, it can be grown quite easily by beginners if they have proper information regarding it. One of the best things about this herb is that it creeps on the group, which means that it can be used as coverage between plants and empty spaces. So, if you are also interested in growing the red creeping thyme, then you can easily use this guide to learn what basic conditions you need to create for proper thyme cultivation. 

When to plant

To plant thyme, you need to wait until spring, once the last frost is behind you, or get started in early fall. Steer clear of planting in the heat of summer, as plants struggle to settle in when it’s that hot.

Where to plant

Now, you need to choose a spot that gets at least six hours of sun each day for the best blooms. Thyme handles a little shade if needed, but it really shines in full sun, so ensure that it gets the sunlight daily. 

How to plant

You can either grow thyme from seed or go for nursery plants, depending on your preference. To start from seed, plant indoors early in spring or sow outside after the frost risk is gone. Thyme seeds usually pop up in about two or three weeks.   

How to transplant thyme

If you are growing thyme from seeds, then you need to transplant it outside. Dig the hole a bit wider and a little shallower than the rootball. Loosen up the roots, set the plant in, then tuck the soil in so the roots are covered. Give it a good soak and keep the soil moist until the plant settles in.

Soil requirements

Creeping thyme is fond of sandy, rocky, or silty soil that drains well. It manages fine in poor soil but hates heavy clay or soggy spots where water sits around.

Spacing

How far apart you plant really depends on how fast you want coverage. For most gardens, give thyme about 8 to 12 inches of space so it has room to spread. If you want a dense carpet, say, for a lawn, plant them closer together.

Growing in containers

If you’re growing creeping thyme in pots or window boxes, grab a good-quality potting mix that drains well. If you need to, mix in some horticultural sand or perlite so water doesn’t stick around and rot the roots.

With these basic instructions, you can ensure that you have a thriving cultivation of creeping thyme.