Creeping thyme / wild thyme
Thymus serpyllum
Creeping thyme / wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 1–3 in tall and 12–18 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Aromatic; takes light foot traffic. Pollinator favorite when in bloom.
On the CSU listlow to medium water1–3 in tall and 12–18 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Thymus serpyllum
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Elfin', 'Coccineus'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 1–3 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~13–18 in apart
- Growth habit
- Mat-forming
- Foot traffic
- Moderate foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Strong winter cover
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- pink, purple
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- high
- Site uses
- Between pavers & flagstones, Hellstrips / parking strips
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Using Creeping thyme / wild thyme as a groundcover
Creeping thyme / wild thyme forms a low mat. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It takes moderate foot traffic, so you can walk on it regularly. It holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground doesn't go bare.
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer. Tolerates light foot traffic, great between flagstones.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Creeping thyme / wild thyme good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Creeping thyme / wild thyme is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Creeping thyme / wild thyme get?
- It matures to about 1–3 in tall and 12–18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Creeping thyme / wild thyme?
- Space Creeping thyme / wild thyme about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Creeping thyme / wild thyme hardy on the Front Range?
- Creeping thyme / wild thyme is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Creeping thyme / wild thyme need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Creeping thyme / wild thyme native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Creeping thyme / wild thyme deer-resistant?
- Creeping thyme / wild thyme is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Creeping thyme / wild thyme a good firewise plant near the house?
- Creeping thyme / wild thyme is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Creeping thyme / wild thyme?
- Creeping thyme / wild thyme takes moderate foot traffic, so you can walk on it regularly.
- Can Creeping thyme / wild thyme replace a lawn?
- Yes, Creeping thyme / wild thyme works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Creeping thyme / wild thyme spread or stay put?
- Creeping thyme / wild thyme is mat-forming. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Creeping thyme / wild thyme stay green in winter?
- Creeping thyme / wild thyme holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground stays protected rather than going bare.
- Can Creeping thyme / wild thyme grow between pavers?
- Yes. Creeping thyme / wild thyme is steppable enough to fill the gaps between flagstones and pavers.
- How long does Creeping thyme / wild thyme bloom?
- Creeping thyme / wild thyme blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
