A Planting Guide for Red Creeping Thyme

Where to Plant

• Creeping thyme is a small, spreading plant, so use it in areas where other plants will not overwhelm it. Areas to plant it include between stepping stones, in containers, trailing down walls, in the foreground of flower beds, on embankments and anywhere else it will not get crowded out.

Companion Plants

• Try pairing creeping thyme with lavender, coreopsis, chia plants, English daisies, as a ground cover with spring-blooming bulbs, beneath trees and with other similar herbs.

Soil

• Thyme requires soil that drains quickly. Water red thyme deeply, saturating the soil several inches down. This will encourage a deeper root system and promote better drought tolerance. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Good soil for red thyme is rich humus, but sandy soil with organic matter tilled in will work as well. Increase drainage in clay soil by tilling in compost and other organic matter.

Feeding Thyme

• Fertilize thyme with either a fertilizer for blooming plants or use organic earthworm castings. When planted in good quality soil, thyme doesn’t require a lot of additional fertilizer. Fertilize in the spring when new growth appears and then throughout the growing season.

Pruning

• Creeping thyme requires little to no grooming as it has a prone, spreading growth habit. If the plants become unruly, pull out unwanted sections and replant them in another part of the garden. Remove unsightly woody stems with sharp garden shears.

Sun Requirements

• Creeping thyme does best in full sun to partial shade. When first planted, provide shade to new plants by using a temporary shade cloth. Once active growth begins, remove the shade cloth.

Harvesting

• Use sharp scissors when the plants are in bloom. Hang the cuttings in an area protected from the sun and moisture. When the cuttings feel dry, store them in brown paper bags in a cool, dark closet or shed. It is best to store herbs in either untreated wood or paper containers to prevent mold.