How to Grow Creeping Thyme Seeds (Thymus serpyllum / Thymus praecox):
Creeping thyme is a low, spreading herb groundcover with tiny fragrant leaves and purple-pink blooms. Seeds are very small and need light to germinate, so sow on the soil surface and press in gently—do not bury deeply. Start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow outdoors in spring once temperatures are mild; in warm climates you can also sow in early fall. Use a seed-starting mix or sandy, well-drained soil and keep it lightly moist (never soggy) until germination, which can be slow and uneven—often 14–28 days. Give bright light and cool-to-warm temps. When seedlings are big enough to handle, transplant carefully and space about 20–30 cm (8–12 in) apart; they will fill in to form a mat. Choose full sun for best growth and flowering, and avoid heavy, wet clay.
How to Care for Creeping Thyme:
Water regularly only during establishment; once rooted, creeping thyme is drought tolerant and prefers soil on the drier side. Let the topsoil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering, especially in humid or rainy areas. Fertilizer is rarely needed—too much richness makes plants floppy and less aromatic—so a light compost top-dress in spring is plenty if your soil is very poor. After flowering, shear or trim lightly to keep the mat dense and encourage fresh growth. It handles heat, light foot traffic, and poor soil well, but hates standing water, so good drainage is the key to long life. Pests and diseases are minimal; most issues come from shade or soggy conditions. In colder zones, it goes semi-dormant in winter and greens up again in spring.
