Creeping Thyme Lawn Pros and Cons

If you want to add color and richness to your lawn or garden, you can do it with a ground cover plant. The plants that are used as ground covers have a slow growth rate, require little care, and may even endure foot traffic.

There are fairly few variants available, but one of the most desirable choices is creeping thyme, also known as "mother of thyme," which is a relative of the herb that maintains a low growth rate. It is distinguished by its tiny elliptical leaves and flowers. The flowers might be purple, crimson, or white, depending on the type.

During the planting cycle, creeping thyme can be purchased from a number of different local nurseries. It might be supplied as plugs or as little cuttings in pots. You can buy seeds as well. Establishing ground cover from seed may not always provide the desired results, according to personal evaluation and feedback from other gardeners, so consider using plugs instead. 

To plant plugs, you need to dig a hole the same size as the plug. After the plug has been inserted, the surrounding soil should be gathered around it to ensure that it is in a stable position. If the dirt around the roots is tightly compacted, the plant will have a better chance of establishing itself in a new environment.

If you want to avoid spending extra money on plants without taking a chance on seeds, you can purchase a few plugs and arrange them further apart. They will eventually disperse and cover the land, but it will take some time before this happens.

Although thyme can survive in dry conditions for extended periods of time, it is essential to water newly established plants often to prevent them from withering. During the first few weeks, keep the soil wet but not saturated. As long as they receive sufficient rainfall, you can water them less frequently after their first year, and they should still thrive.

Creeping Thyme Lawn Pros

• Expands at a rapid rate.
• Able to withstand foot traffic.
• Flowers outnumber foliage during its peak blooming period.
• creates a colorful blanket over the ground and a visual break from all of the green.
• It is a plant that lives for more than one year, grows back each year, and requires far less upkeep than grass does.
• It reaches a maximum height of two to four inches, so it will not overshadow other plants and shrubs.
• It has tiny, hairy, oval leaves, and the flowers are also small and grow in groups.
• Creeping thyme, like all thyme varieties, is consumable and can be used to make teas and other herbal medicines, despite the fact that it is not commonly collected.
• A preferred choice for gardeners concerned about bugs, pets, or children trampling through their yard.
• It attracts bees, and you will see them swarming around it in the morning during the summertime.
• The other plants in your yard will benefit from the increased number of bee visitors because this will lead to increased pollination of the flowers.
• All cultivars have a pleasant aroma.

Creeping Thyme Lawn Cons

There are many factors that contribute to the risk of root rot and botrytis infection for creeping thyme, such as poor drainage and lack of sunlight. Affected areas should be taken out and thrown away. Honey bees and other beneficial insects are attracted to the plant's aroma, but aphids and spider mites are also lured in by its scent. The most effective means of controlling these pests are repellents and Neem oil.