How long does creeping thyme take to spread?
How long does it take for creeping thyme to spread? Creeping thyme takes a while to become established, and the plants usually don’t grow much during their first year. However, established plants can spread quickly and stretch 12 to 18 inches wide by their third year. Overwintering: In temperate climates, creeping thyme will usually remain evergreen throughout the winter. In regions where winters are cold, plants may lose their foliage, but it will quickly grow back the following spring.It’s easy to grow creeping thyme herb from seed. Start by sowing the seeds indoors about 8 weeks before the last spring frost. Scatter over a seed-starting mix, lightly pressing into the surface as the seeds need light to germinate. Keep the mix consistently moist and provide plenty of light.Most thyme plants are perennial in moderate climates. While some thyme species are upright and shrub-like, creeping types are low-growing with a vine-like habit and can be a grass alternative that doesn’t require mowing (it will also choke out weeds).Thymus serpyllum, commonly called wild thyme, creeping thyme or mother-of-thyme, is a hairy, prostrate, creeping, woody-based perennial which is primarily grown as an ornamental ground cover.
What is the prettiest creeping thyme?
Thymus serpyllum ‘Pink Chintz’ is a charming, fast-spreading creeping thyme with fuzzy, gray-green foliage and a soft carpet of salmon-pink blooms in summer. Low-growing and aromatic, it’s perfect between pavers or in rock gardens. Overwintering: In temperate climates, creeping thyme will usually remain evergreen throughout the winter. In regions where winters are cold, plants may lose their foliage, but it will quickly grow back the following spring.The lifespan of thyme plants averages about 5-6 years. If you notice the plants are beginning to deteriorate, prune the existing plants back hard to rejuvenate them. Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.Plant in full sun, where it is fairly drought tolerant. It may rot in the winter if grown in poorly drained soil. Thyme can be grown in containers for the summer and brought indoors to a well-lit spot for the winter. Trim the plant in spring and summer to keep it neat and avoid too much woody growth.Thyme is very shallowly rooted and can dry out quickly, especially when the little plants are first transplanted. Thymes should remain moist but not soggy for best growth. Over head sprinklers, drip or hand watering can be used, as long as the entire area receives water allowing the stems to root in moist soil.
Is thyme better in pots or ground?
Planting in the ground – choose a warm, sunny planting location in light, well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy or stays quite damp, especially in winter, then plant thyme in a container orraised bedinstead, where drainage will be better. Thyme grows best in full sun in soil with a pH of 7. Since it prefers slightly alkaline soil, add lime to the soil to raise the pH. Thyme also requires soil with good drainage to prevent root rot, so plant it in a sandy, dry soil.It grows well in most any soil, rocky clay here and it thrives. Thyme can be planted any time of year as long as you can dig the soil. The green leaves turn reddish over the winter months and back to green in spring and purplish/pink flowers all summer. Figure 1 per every square foot and figure 2/3 years to fill in.LIMITATIONS: Creeping thyme offers some moderate weed suppression. But it’s growth is rather loose and weed seedlings may still make their way through it. Sometimes the center of the plant can get quite woody and empty in appearance. It tends to die out in spots where it gets shaded out by other plants.Like most herbs, thyme does best in full sun, and it tolerates drought well. It can be planted by seed in either late fall or early spring. Make sure to plant in good-draining soil.
When’s the best time to plant creeping thyme?
When to plant creeping thyme. Transplant creeping thyme in spring, shortly after your last frost date. While it enjoys warm, sunny weather, it will establish quicker in the cooler spring temps. If you start thyme seeds indoors, do so 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date. Creeping thyme takes a while to become established, and the plants usually don’t grow much during their first year. However, established plants can spread quickly and stretch 12 to 18 inches wide by their third year.Sprinkling seed of creeping thyme on the ground is rarely successful, although raising plants from seed in pots or trays under cover is a good way to produce a large quantity of plants.How quickly does creeping thyme spread? Creeping thyme takes a while to become established, and the plants usually don’t grow much during their first year. However, established plants can spread quickly and stretch 12 to 18 inches wide by their third year.
Where is the best place to plant red creeping thyme?
Planting. Location: red creeping thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained areas such as rock gardens, paths, slopes, or gravel beds. Choose a site with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Soil: prefers sandy or rocky soils with a neutral to alkaline ph (6. Organic fertilizers are the best choice for thyme, as they enrich the soil while supporting beneficial microorganisms. Options include compost, well-rotted manure, or a balanced organic fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content to prevent excessive leafy growth at the expense of flavor.
What should not be planted near 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. Herbs with the same growing requirements, such as oregano, lavender and sage, however, are excellent companions to thyme. However, plants that have dissimilar growing requirements are not a good idea to plant together. Don’t grow thyme near plants that require lots of water and consistently moist soil.
How many years does creeping thyme last?
Any branches that root themselves will continue to live another 3-5 years. So creeping thyme will always end up patchy. Always best to plant many different species for lawn replacement , not just one. As its name implies, creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) will creep along your landscape and prevent weeds from popping up.Caraway Thyme is the fastest growing and has a pillowy mounding habit instead of a “looks like a lawn” habit.