Creeping Thyme White

Creeping Thyme is an attractive prostrate herb with dense green foliage and masses of tiny white flowers in late spring and summer. Great for adding contrast to other plants in containers or as a groundcover. Grows approx. 15cm tall x 90cm wide.

🌿 Botanical Overview

• Botanical Name: Thymus serpyllum ‘Alba’

• Common Names: White Creeping Thyme, Wild Thyme (White), Mother of Thyme (White variety)

• Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

• Type: Herbaceous perennial (evergreen in mild climates)

• Origin: Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia.

🌸 Appearance

• Foliage:

  • Tiny, oval, dark green leaves that are highly aromatic when crushed.

  • Forms a dense mat of evergreen foliage, staying attractive even when not in bloom.

  • The scent is a classic “thyme” fragrance — earthy, slightly spicy, and herbal.

• Flowers:

  • Delicate white flowers bloom in small clusters.

  • Flowering occurs from early to mid-summer (June to August).

  • While many thyme varieties bloom pink or purple, ‘Alba’ is distinguished by its pure white blossoms.

  • Flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

☀️ Growing Requirements

• Light:

  • Requires full sun for best performance (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily).

  • Can tolerate very light shade but blooms less profusely.

• Soil:

  • Prefers well-drained, sandy or gritty soils.

  • Does not like “wet feet” — overly moist or poorly drained conditions can cause root rot.

  • Thrives in low-fertility soils — no need for rich compost or fertilizers.

• Water:

  • Drought-tolerant once established.

  • Water young plants regularly until they’re established; afterward, occasional watering during long dry periods is enough.

  • Avoid overwatering.

• Hardiness:

  • Tolerates light frost and is evergreen in warmer zones.

  • May die back a bit in cold winters but usually regrows in spring.

🌱 Landscape Uses

• Ground cover: Excellent choice for:

  • Rock gardens

  • Between stepping stones and pavers

  • Edging along garden beds

  • Slopes or dry banks

• Foot traffic:

  • Can tolerate light foot traffic, making it ideal for walkways or patios.

  • When stepped on, releases a pleasant thyme scent.

• Companion planting:

  • Great with low-water Mediterranean plants like lavender, rosemary, sage, and sedum.

  • Can also be used near vegetables as it deters some pests.

🧑‍🍳 Culinary & Herbal Uses

• While not as commonly used as Thymus vulgaris (common thyme), T. serpyllum is edible and aromatic.

• Can be used for:

  • Herbal teas

  • Light flavoring of soups or meats

  • Potpourri or sachets for scent

  • Medicinal herbal remedies in traditional use (antiseptic, soothing teas for coughs)

✂️ Maintenance & Care

• Pruning:

  • Light trimming after flowering can encourage denser growth.

  • Remove any dead or woody parts in early spring.

  • Avoid heavy pruning into old wood.

• Pests/Diseases:

  • Generally pest-free and deer-resistant.

  • Overwatering may lead to root rot or fungal issues.

• Propagation:

  • Easily propagated by:

    • Division in spring or fall

    • Stem cuttings

    • Seeds, although cultivars like ‘Alba’ may not come true from seed

🏡 Creeping Thyme is Great For:

• Xeriscaping (low-water gardens)

• Pollinator gardens

• Cottage gardens

• Container gardening (in shallow pots or troughs)

• Adding soft texture and fragrance to walkways