Creeping thyme, a low-growing perennial from the Thymus genus, is a garden favorite prized for its versatility and charm. Typically reaching just 1-6 inches tall, it spreads horizontally, forming dense mats of tiny, aromatic leaves that release a pleasant scent when stepped on or brushed. Hardy across various zones, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for tough spots where other plants struggle.
This herb’s appeal lies in its dual role as both ornamental and functional. With varieties sporting flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, or red, it blooms in summer, attracting bees and butterflies while adding vibrant color to landscapes. Its evergreen foliage—sometimes variegated or fuzzy—keeps gardens lively year-round, whether as a lawn substitute, border, or rock garden filler.
Creeping thyme is practical and resilient. It tolerates light foot traffic, suppresses weeds, and resists drought once established, requiring minimal care. Some types even offer culinary uses with flavors like lemon or caraway, blending seamlessly into herb gardens or kitchen-adjacent plots.
With dozens of cultivars, creeping thyme caters to diverse tastes—fast-growers for quick coverage, slow-growers for precision, or fragrant types for sensory delight. Its adaptability to poor soils and sunny slopes makes it a go-to for sustainable landscaping, offering beauty, fragrance, and utility in one compact package.
Types of Creeping Thyme
Red Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Coccineus’)
Red creeping thyme is a standout with its vibrant magenta-pink flowers that bloom profusely from June to July, creating a colorful carpet. Growing just 2-3 inches tall and spreading 12-18 inches wide, its tiny, dark green leaves form a dense mat that’s both aromatic and tough, tolerating moderate foot traffic. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, it thrives in full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. This variety excels at suppressing weeds and attracting pollinators like bees, making it a favorite for rock gardens or pathways.
White Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Albiflorus’)
Known for its delicate white flowers, this variety blooms in early summer, offering a soft contrast to darker foliage. It reaches 1-2 inches in height and spreads up to 18 inches, with small, evergreen leaves that release a subtle fragrance when crushed. Hardy in zones 2-9, it’s one of the toughest thymes, surviving cold climates with ease. Perfect for moon gardens or edging, it prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade, thriving in sandy or rocky soils with minimal water once established.
Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)
Woolly thyme is prized for its fuzzy, silver-gray foliage, giving it a velvety texture that’s more about looks than blooms—it rarely flowers, but when it does, pale pink blossoms appear. Growing 1-3 inches tall and spreading 12 inches wide, it’s a slow grower ideal for filling gaps between stones. Hardy in zones 5-8, it loves full sun and dry, well-drained soil, making it drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Its unique appearance adds a soft, tactile element to xeriscapes or minimalist designs.
Elfin Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Elfin’)
Elfin thyme is a tiny treasure, reaching just 1-2 inches tall with a tight, compact spread of 4-8 inches. Its minuscule, glossy green leaves and sparse lavender-pink flowers in summer create a delicate, moss-like effect. Hardy in zones 4-9, it’s a slow grower that thrives in full sun and gritty soil, resisting drought and light foot traffic. This variety shines in rock gardens, fairy gardens, or as a filler in tight spaces where precision and charm are key.
Spicy Orange Creeping Thyme (Thymus ‘Spicy Orange’)
This variety brings a zesty twist with its needle-like, green leaves infused with a citrusy-spicy scent, topped by small pink flowers in summer. Growing 2-4 inches tall and spreading 12-18 inches, it’s hardy in zones 5-9 and loves full sun with well-drained soil. The aromatic foliage makes it a sensory delight, perfect for edging paths or herb gardens where brushing against it releases its fragrance. It’s moderately fast-growing and pollinator-friendly, adding flair to any landscape.
Lemon Frost Thyme (Thymus ‘Lemon Frost’)
Lemon Frost thyme dazzles with its bright green, lemon-scented leaves and white flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. It grows 2-3 inches tall and spreads up to 18 inches, forming a lush, fragrant mat. Hardy in zones 4-9, it thrives in full sun and tolerates poor, dry soils, making it a resilient choice for slopes or borders. Its citrusy aroma and cheerful look make it a dual-purpose plant—ornamental and subtly culinary.
Pink Chintz Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Pink Chintz’)
Pink Chintz thyme offers a profusion of salmon-pink flowers in early summer, set against small, dark green leaves with a mild fragrance. Reaching 1-3 inches in height and spreading 12-18 inches, it’s hardy in zones 4-9 and prefers full sun with well-drained soil. Fast-growing and weed-suppressing, it’s ideal for large areas or as a lawn substitute. Its vibrant blooms attract butterflies, adding lively color to patios or garden edges.
Highland Cream Thyme (Thymus ‘Highland Cream’)
This variegated beauty features soft cream-and-green leaves that brighten shady spots, paired with pale pink flowers in summer. Growing 2-3 inches tall and spreading 12-15 inches, it’s hardy in zones 5-9 and prefers full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Its slower growth and striking foliage make it a standout between stepping stones or in mixed containers, offering visual interest even when not in bloom.
Magic Carpet Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Magic Carpet’)
Magic Carpet thyme lives up to its name with a dense, low mat of dark green leaves topped by vivid carmine-pink flowers in early summer. Growing just 2-3 inches tall and spreading 12-18 inches wide, it’s hardy in zones 4-9 and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Its fast growth and strong fragrance make it a top pick for ground cover or spilling over rock walls, attracting pollinators while keeping weeds at bay.
Purple Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Purple Carpet’)
This variety dazzles with deep purple flowers that bloom from June to July, set against small, aromatic green leaves. Reaching 2-4 inches in height and spreading up to 18 inches, it’s hardy in zones 4-9 and loves full sun and sandy or rocky soil. Its vibrant color and moderate spread make it perfect for edging or creating bold patches in herb gardens, with a scent that wafts underfoot.
Doone Valley Thyme (Thymus ‘Doone Valley’)
Doone Valley thyme offers a splash of variegation with golden-green leaves that deepen in cool weather, paired with soft lavender flowers in summer. It grows 2-4 inches tall and spreads 12-18 inches, thriving in zones 5-9 with full sun and good drainage. The citrusy scent and seasonal color shifts make it a dynamic choice for borders or containers, adding both texture and aroma.
Annie Hall Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Annie Hall’)
Named with a nod to charm, Annie Hall thyme features tiny, glossy green leaves and pale pink flowers that bloom in early summer. It stays ultra-low at 1-2 inches tall, spreading 12-15 inches, and is hardy in zones 4-9. Favoring full sun and well-drained soil, it’s a slow grower ideal for tight spaces like rockeries or between pavers, offering subtle beauty and a mild thyme scent.
Silver Posie Thyme (Thymus ‘Silver Posie’)
Silver Posie thyme shines with variegated silver-green leaves edged in white, complemented by pale pink to lavender flowers in late spring. Growing 3-6 inches tall and spreading 12-18 inches, it’s hardy in zones 5-9 and prefers full sun with light, dry soil. Its striking foliage makes it a standout in mixed plantings or as an accent, with a fragrance that’s slightly sharper than other thymes.
Caraway Thyme (Thymus herba-barona)
Known as caraway thyme for its distinctive caraway-like scent, this variety sports dark green leaves and small pinkish-purple flowers in summer. It reaches 2-4 inches tall and spreads up to 18 inches, hardy in zones 5-9, and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Its unique flavor profile makes it a dual-purpose plant—great for ground cover and a culinary twist in dishes.
Reiter’s Creeping Thyme (Thymus reiter)
Reiter’s thyme is a tough, low-grower with tiny, deep green leaves and occasional lavender blooms, staying under 2 inches tall while spreading 12-18 inches. Hardy in zones 5-9, it loves full sun and gritty, dry conditions, making it a resilient choice for slopes or xeriscaping. Its dense habit and durability handle light foot traffic, perfect for replacing grass in sunny spots.