What Does Creeping Thyme Look Like In Winter?

Depending on your location, creeping thyme will either remain evergreen or it will lose its leaves and some stems will die over the winter. You don’t need to prune it, but to protect it as much as possible you can cover it with sand or gravel over the winter.

Where is the best place to plant creeping thyme?

Creeping thyme plants grow best in well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Like most herb plants, creeping thyme seems to thrive in poor soils. They will grow best in full sun, although they will tolerate some shade.

What does creeping thyme look like as it grows?

Growing to about two to three inches tall and spreading to more than a foot across, creeping thyme tends to grow in a dense, mat-like form. Small, fuzzy gray-green leaves are aromatic and release their fragrance when delicately crushed.

Does thyme go dormant?

As the weather cools, allow thyme to go dormant and do not cut it back. Mulch well with compost to provide cold protection. Prune back dead thyme stems in spring. New growth should appear in late spring.

Will creeping thyme survive winter?

Depending on your location, creeping thyme will either remain evergreen or it will lose its leaves and some stems will die over the winter. You don’t need to prune it, but to protect it as much as possible you can cover it with sand or gravel over the winter.

Does creeping thyme choke out weeds?

Red creeping thyme adds attractive, deep green color to your landscape throughout spring, but it’s most beautiful in summer when it erupts in gorgeous crimson flowers. It really, really chokes out the weeds, forming a thick mat.

How quickly does creeping thyme spread?

The less space between leaves, the slower your thyme will spread. Longer segments mean faster growth. Generally, creeping thyme takes one year to get established, and then begins to spread in its second season. The herb thyme (Thymus spp.)

Should I cut back creeping thyme?

Gardeners should plant their creeping thyme at least 8 to 12-inches apart to accommodate the spreading of the plant. Prune back the vines in the early spring to prepare the plant for the growing season ahead. Prune again after the flowers die back.

Does thyme lose its leaves in winter?

Growing thyme: problem solving
However, as thyme is a Mediterranean plant used to very dry conditions, you may lose plants in winter if conditions are too wet. It’s therefore a good idea to bring your thyme plants indoors for winter. Avoid watering them, and plant them back outside again in spring.

Will thyme survive frost?

Cold-hardy herbs, such as chives, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme, can often survive cold-winter temperatures while continuing to produce flavorful foliage, as long as they are provided with some protection or grown indoors.

Will dead thyme grow back?

Thyme tends to be semi evergreen outside of Mediterranean climates which means it retains some of their leaves over Winter but some may drop off which is normal and the thyme should grow again next year.

What do you do with thyme in the winter?

Weeding and Mulching Thyme
Mulch is key for supporting thyme plants through winter, especially in northern zones. With mulch and added cover during extreme cold, even gardeners in Zones 4-5 may overwinter thyme successfully.

Why is my creeping thyme turning brown?

The reason thyme plants turn brown is because of fungal disease caused by excess moisture around the roots. Thyme is a Mediterranean herb that prefers somewhat dry conditions. Over watering and slow draining soils promote the conditions for fungal pathogens that cause thyme plants to turn brown.

Does creeping thyme repel mosquitoes?

Thyme, including red creeping thyme (shown), possesses excellent mosquito-repelling properties. The secret is to crush the leaves to release the volatile oils. You can simply place crushed stems around outdoor seating areas or rub the leaves on skin or clothing.

Is creeping thyme toxic to dogs?

“The creeping thyme does well as a dog-friendly ground cover. Irish Moss, Labrador Violet, Miniature Stonecrop (although invasive, so be careful where you plant it) as well as snow in summer are rather dog-abuse-tolerant and are non-toxic.”

What is the hardiest ground cover?

Lamium. Under even the most unforgiving of conditions, lamium prevails. This vining plant, also known as dead nettles, can tolerate cold, heat, and drought, and it’s deer resistant. There are more than 40 species of lamium, but the best are those that are flowering perennials like the Pink Chablis.

Will creeping thyme take over my grass?

After doing much on-line research, I chose to replace half of my front lawn with Red Creeping Thyme in the spring of 2019. I liked its height (2”), the fact that it can tolerate moderate foot traffic, is drought resistant, spreads fast and chokes out weeks and attracts bees and butterflies.

How invasive is creeping thyme?

In general, these plants do not reach a height of more than six inches from the ground. These plants don’t really have to be invasive as long as you know how to care for them.

When should you plant creeping thyme?

Planting instructions
Creeping thyme does best in an area that gets about four hours of sun a day. Planting should be done in late spring or early summer, after the fear of frost has passed. This will allow the roots to establish themselves through the growing season.

How far apart should I plant creeping thyme?

Creeping thyme does well in well-draining loamy soil, but it grows best in sandy or rocky soil that mimics its natural habitat in southern Europe. 4. Spacing: Plant creeping thyme seeds one inch apart. Once seedlings form, transfer the new plants to their final spot, spacing them eight to twelve inches apart.

Does creeping thyme like sun or shade?

Soil: Grows well in well-draining soils. Light: Sun (> 6 hours sun) is needed for best foliage and bloom. Water: Keep soil moist but not wet as plants establish. Once established, it tolerates dry conditions.