How to Grow Creeping Thyme

Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme is known by a few common names, such as Mother of thyme or wild thyme. It is native to most of Europe and North Africa. Creeping thyme is a low subshrub growing to 2 cm tall with creeping stems up to 10 cm long, with oval evergreen leaves 3-8 mm long. It has strongly scented flowers that are 4-6 mm long and produced in clusters. This hardy plant tolerates some traffic and produces a light lemon aroma. Creeping thyme is easy to care for and makes a great addition to your garden!

How to Grow Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme is a perennial plant that is hardy in zones 4 to 8, and it prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Thyme prefers moist, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.6 to 7.5. It will tolerate poor quality soil and drought conditions.

After thoroughly watering the soil, surface sow the seeds and very lightly cover with soil. Keep soil moist but never soggy. For best germination results, grow indoors in sterilized soil; black earth/peat moss mixture—transplant outside after risk of frost.

Creeping Thyme Uses

Thyme can be used fresh or dried. The fresh or dried leaves and the flowering tops are used in soups, stews, vegetables, marinades, stuffings etc. Thyme provides a warm tangy flavour. The leaves can also be used in potpourris and to repel insects such as moths. The essential oil of thyme is also added to soaps, toothpaste, cosmetics, perfumes, and antiseptic ointments. Also, it is used in aromatherapy to relieve pain and elevate the mood. Thyme baths have been used to help relieve aches and joint pains.

Health Benefits of Thyme

All the members of the mint family, including thyme, possess terpenoids that are recognized for their cancer-preventive properties. Rosmarinic and ursolic acids are major terpenoids in thyme that possess anti-cancer properties. A tea can be made by adding one teaspoon of crushed thyme in half a cup of boiling water, letting it steep for 10 mins and then straining. The tea can be drunk 3 to 4 times a day for the treatment of coughs.

Thyme Essential Oil Benefits

Thyme is rich in an essential oil that is rich in thymol. It is a powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, and potent antioxidant. Thyme has expectorant and bronchial antispasmodic properties. These properties make it useful for treating acute and chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

Have any tips on how to grow creeping thyme? Please share in the comment section below!

Recommended Books:
Homegrown Herbs: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Enjoying More than 100 Herbs.

2 Comments

  1. Hi! very interesting! lovely plants! would love to try!

    I wonder: what exactly is the black soil you mention, clay? and also, how do you get sterilized soil? is it not without nutrition if sterile, or do you mean without weed seeds? can it be baked in the oven, taken a spin in the micro… other ways?

    thank you for posting! I have had some interesting hours reading and getting inspired!:)

    • Black soil is just black looking fertile, loose soil that is readily available in North America. By sterilized, I mean free of weed seeds. It’s basically a top soil or compost.

      My wild thyme is growing great here in Canada, since the winter has been very mild. I planted the seeds last spring and it’s grown pretty fast. I will post some photos of it soon.

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