What Is The Lowest Growing Thyme?

Thymus praecox is a low-growing perennial hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 with fairly minimal requirements. An evergreen with lightly haired foliage, this tiny-growing creeping thyme varietal — rarely over 3 inches or 7.5 cm.

What is the smallest thyme plant?

Elfin Thyme
Elfin Thyme and Leprechaun Thyme are very small and very flat (about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch tall).

What is the lowest temperature that thyme tolerate?

Culinary or English thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is hardy to zone 4 (temperatures down to -30 degrees F.).

How much space do you need to grow thyme?

Space thyme plants 12 to 24 inches apart in a very sunny area with fertile, well-drained soil with a pH close to 7.0. Before planting in-ground, improve your existing soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter.

Is creeping thyme the same as thyme?

The basic difference between them is that some are grown for culinary use and others are used primarily in landscaping. Both types are edible, but creeping thymes are usually small and tedious to harvest and are therefore more valuable as ground covers.

Is red creeping thyme invasive?

This plant is considered an invasive species in some habitats, and tends to thrive in disturbed sites that are shady and poorly drained. Once established in a soil, creeping Charlie will spread quickly through aggressive stolons, forming mats that provide dense ground cover.

What’s the difference between German thyme and English thyme?

French thyme is also called summer thyme and it offers a flavor that is slightly subtler than that of English thyme. German thyme has smaller, slightly rounded leaves than the other varieties, but the foliage is packed with lots of flavor. German thyme is also called winter thyme because it is very cold hardy thymes.

Can 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 thyme survive winter?

Herbs like bay, sage and thyme are hardy enough to survive the winter outside, but will not grow. If you want to harvest from them, protect them against the coldest weather. You can move plants into a coldframe, or an unheated greenhouse or conservatory. Make sure to ventilate them on milder days.

What temps can thyme survive?

The plant needs full sun exposure and prefers warm and moderately dry climates, mild winters and sunny summers. It will thrive where average temperatures of 68-86°F (20-30°C) during spring-early summer are common. Soil temperatures above 65°F (18°C) favor growth and regeneration after harvest.

Is thyme invasive?

Other herbs that become invasive through underground runners include oregano, pennyroyal, and even the easy-going thyme can run amok.

What can you not plant with thyme?

Although a variety of herbs (and even flowers, like marigolds and nasturtiums) can often be planted together, certain kinds like parsley, cilantro, tarragon, basil and chives prefer a more moist soil, and should not be planted directly with thyme.

Does thyme grow back after cutting?

Thyme grows back after cutting, and often grows back fuller and stronger. To make sure your plant bounces back, remove only the softest, greenest stems from the plant when harvesting. Never cut past the woody part of the stem. This is the place where new growth occurs.

What is the hardiest thyme?

Thymus coccineus, the red creeping thyme, is probably one of the most well known of all the thymes. Magenta coloured blooms hover over a delicate very low-growing and well behaved but extremely tough plant. Excellent for a thyme lawn or planted among stone pavers or flagstones.

Will 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.

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.

How tall does dwarf creeping thyme grow?

Creeping thyme is a dwarf, low-growing, creeping, woody evergreen. It is grown primarily as an ornamental groundcover. The plant’s leaves are aromatic, but it is not typically used in cooking. It measures 2-3 inches tall and 3 to 12 inches wide.

How far will creeping thyme spread?

Plants grow to a mature height of just one to two inches tall and a spread of 12 to 18 inches. Its light green foliage turns an attractive bronze color in fall. You can find plants available for purchase in quart-size containers at Nature Hills Nursery.

What is the most invasive ground cover?

Bugleweed. Bugleweed has pretty purple flowers and grows from ground-hugging rosettes. One individual plant looks harmless and charming, but it will spread by runners and quickly form a dense mat. There are places, like hillsides, where mat-forming plants are welcome.

How tall does German thyme get?

12 to 18 inches high
German thyme grows 12 to 18 inches high and wide, and is at home Zones 4-9, though some sources say it can be grown down to Zone 3. Plants are available from Home Depot.

Is French or English thyme better?

French thyme is a variety of English thyme that has narrower, grey-green leaves and a slightly sweeter flavor. It is often preferred by chefs, and is excellent for seasoning meat, fish, soup, and vegetables. Just remember that its English counterpart is not only more robust, but has better cold tolerance.