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Perennial · Lamiaceae familyornamental and medicinal · also in Medicinal herbs

Creeping thyme

Thymus serpyllum

Full sun 0.05–0.1 m × 0.2–0.3 m Flowers June–August to −26 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun
Size0.05–0.1 m
spacing 25 cm
FlowersJune–August
PlantingApril–June
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

neutral to alkaline soil
acidicneutralalkaline
dry to averagesandygravellyloamy

Watering

drought tolerant once establisheddo not waterlogless when it rains

Frost

−26 °C
no winter protectiongreen in winter too

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

50 cm1 m1.5 m0.05–0.1 mspread 0.2–0.3 m
0.05–0.1 m× spread 0.2–0.3 m

Plant 25 cm apart.

Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlantingFeeding
Now, in October: nothing to do — the next job is in April.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June–August · purple or pink

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: April–June

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March–May

Feeding

Nutrition.

Light
balanced fertilisercompost or mulch
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

No serious pests or diseases

The source lists no significant problems.

Sources (2)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does creeping thyme flower?

In June–August; the flowers are purple or pink.

Does creeping thyme tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does creeping thyme need?

At maturity 0.2–0.3 m wide and 0.05–0.1 m tall; recommended spacing 25 cm.

Sources (10) Checked 24 October 2026

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