· to provide ample space for spreading, plant about one foot apart. If grown from nursey starts, space 6 to 12 inches apart. Flowering creeping thyme is very attractive to bees, and pollen from blooming thyme often flavors the resulting honey. The remaining division can go i. To keep your thyme blooming year after year, pruning your oldest, woodiest stems at the end of the growing season will encourage new growth and flowers in the spring. In its first year, its a slow- to -moderate grower, but once its established, it will spread quicker in subsequent years. · fragrant, colorful, low maintenance, and pollinator-friendly, a patch of creeping thyme is more than just a boring groundcover. Creeping thyme blooms in spring or summer for about three to four weeks. They will grow best in full sun, although they will tolerate some shade. Like most herb plants, creeping thyme seems to thrive in poor soils. Creeping thyme is susceptible to root rot in wet, dense soils. You can start thyme from seed indoors in a small growing tray before the final frost, using a quality seed starting mix. Thyme doesnt usually need enriched soil, but it may be the boost the plant needs to encourage flower production. How to encourage more bloom Plus, learn about the groundcovers benefits. Prepare the area by adding extra gritty material if necessary and loosening the soil a few inches (7. 62 cm. ). However, several types of creeping thyme are low to the ground and spread efficiently. If you prefer to grow from seed, start them indoors in the winter, about eight to ten weeks before the last expected frost. In hot, dry summer conditions, spider mites can be a problem with creeping thyme plants. If woody stems take over, you may want to remove and replace the plants or strongly prune back the plants to rejuvenate growth. The best containers for thyme are porous—such as clay or terracotta—but any container will do as long as it has ample drainage holes. What do creeping thyme flowers look and smell like? The easiest ways to propagate creeping thyme are by division, with stem cuttings, and via seed. · the best time to establish a creeping thyme ground cover is in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. You can replant the smaller division back into the container it was in, giving it fresh potting mix. Learn how to plant, grow , and care for creeping thyme. (these seeds need light to germinate. ) keep the water evenly moist in a warm, bright spot about 65 to 75 degrees fahrenheit. Creeping thyme plants can become woody over time. Creeping thyme plants grow best in well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline ph. Prune back creeping thyme stems in the early spring to prepare the plant for the growing season ahead. To moisten the top of the. See full list on thespruce. com This will keep the soil at a consistent temperature and. Once the plant grows too big for the container, remove the root ball and divide it. The tiny leaves are aromatic, as are the flowers, which have a balsamic or citrus scent similar to the leaves. The best way to protect plants in colder usda zones is by giving them a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch after the cold weather sets in. You do not have to deadheadthyme flowers. On indoor plants, both spider mites and aphids are possible, again treatable with insecticidal soap. Plant creeping thyme from seeds or potted nursery starts in the spring. Expert advice from eden brothers on planting creeping thyme , including the best time to plant, garden location, and maintenance tips. English thyme (thymus vulgaris) is the best-known thyme variety—its also called common thyme or garden thyme , and is typically grown as a culinary herb. If your plant is established and not flowering, you can try a diluted, half-strength liquid fertilizer. Insecitidal soap is an effective treatment for these pests. Creeping thyme is a hardy plant that doesnt have many problems, although it can be susceptible to root rot in wet. The best time to divide or take cuttings is in the late spring or early summer. Depending on the variety, flowers can be white, pink, or purple. Plant seeds on the surface of the mix with a bare covering of additional mix. In zones with cold winters, thyme is semi-evergreen, which means it will remain mostly green and keep its leaves but may die back some and some branches may die. Most thyme plants do not flower in their first growing season. · learn how to grow and care for a creeping thyme lawn—a low-maintenance alternative to turf grass. However, if using as a grass substitute, youll want a closer spacer for denser coverage. Affected plants will need to be remov. · grow creeping thyme as a drought-tolerant lawn alternative or edible groundcover with this simple growing guide. Spicy orange creeping thyme (thymus spicy orange) has pink flowers and grows 2 to 4 inches tall; Prune again after the flowers die back, usually by the end of summer.
