Mother of Thyme: The Charming Evergreen Groundcover for Your Garden

Looking for a rugged, low-maintenance groundcover that brings year-round foliage and summertime blooms? Mother of thyme may be just what you need! This trailing evergreen perennial thrives under foot traffic and difficult conditions, making it an excellent choice to spread between pavers, soften garden edges, and cascade over walls Read on to learn all about growing and caring for mother of thyme as a hardy, aromatic groundcover

An Overview of Mother of Thyme

Mother of thyme (Thymus praecox) is a woody-based perennial in the mint family, also known by names like creeping thyme and woolly thyme. Native to parts of Europe and Asia, this tough plant grows just 2-4 inches tall but spreads readily to form a dense, fuzzy green carpet.

The petite leaves are oval, arranged oppositely, and emerge on thin creeping stems that hug the ground Established plants can spread 12 inches wide or more! Come summer, small tubular lavender, pink, or white flowers appear, attracting pollinators with their sweet fragrance. Mother of thyme retains its foliage through winter in most climates

This hardy herb thrives in full sun and lean sandy or rocky soils with good drainage. Too much moisture causes root rot. The species is hardy to zone 5 with cultivated varieties extending the growing range. It requires minimal care once established. Shear it back after flowering to encourage dense growth.

Overall, mother of thyme makes an excellent evergreen groundcover for pathways, rock gardens, slopes, borders, containers, and more! The fragrant foliage releases its scent when stepped on. Let’s look more closely at growing and using this charming plant.

Growing Conditions for Mother of Thyme

Here are the optimal growing conditions to help mother of thyme flourish:

• Sunlight: Full sun is required, with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Partial shade will result in reduced flowering and leggy growth.

• Soil: Well-draining sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil is ideal. Avoid wet, dense, or clay soils that don’t drain well.

• pH: Soil pH between 6.0 and 8.0 is acceptable, though it prefers neutral to slightly alkaline conditions.

• Water: Drought tolerant once established, but occasional watering is needed during prolonged dry periods. Avoid overwatering.

• Zones: Hardy in zones 5-10 depending on variety. Mulching recommended for colder zones.

• Temperature: Tolerates summer heat and humidity. Can handle dips to -20°F when established.

Follow these growing guidelines and mother of thyme will thrive with minimal care required!

How to Plant & Propagate Mother of Thyme

Mother of thyme can be planted from nursery starts, cuttings, division, or seed:

• Potted plants: Plant in spring once the danger of frost has passed. Space 12 inches apart.

• Cuttings: Take 3-4 inch tip cuttings in summer. Remove flowers and strip lower leaves. Root in light soil mix.

• Division: Divide established plants in early spring or fall. Replant divisions 12 inches apart.

• Seeds: Sow seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last spring frost. Barely cover with soil. Requires light and warm soil to germinate.

This trailing groundcover doesn’t require much ongoing care. Apply a thin layer of compost each spring. Water during drought. Prune lightly after flowering to encourage bushy regrowth. Divide congested plants every 2-3 years.

How to Use Mother of Thyme as a Groundcover

Thanks to its rugged nature, mother of thyme serves beautifully as a groundcover in the landscape. Here are some options:

• Spread between pavers or stones along walkways and patios

• Cascade over retaining walls, rock gardens, and terraces

• Softens the edges of garden beds and tree rings

• Planted among stepping stones

• Covers sloping banks and hillsides prone to erosion

• Trails attractively from containers and hanging baskets

• Forms a fragrant mat along border fronts

• Fills in spaces between other garden plants

• Provides a dense evergreen lawn substitute

The low growth habit and tolerance for light foot traffic make mother of thyme perfect for these applications. The foliage releases its minty scent when crushed underfoot.

Notable Mother of Thyme Varieties

While the species has pinkish-purple blooms, cultivated varieties offer more color diversity:

• ‘Albus’ – White flowers on green foliage

• ‘Coccineus’ – Dark red blooms, also sold as Red Creeping Thyme

• ‘Pink Chintz’ – Bright pink flowers, larger than the species

• ‘Argenteus’ – Silver-green leaves with lavender flowers

• ‘Aureus’ – Golden yellow leaf edges, height just 1 inch tall

There are also creeping thyme varieties with variegated or colorful foliage like ‘Silver Queen’ and ‘Goldstream’. Shop for your favorites!

Problems & Pests to Watch For

When grown in the right conditions, mother of thyme is not susceptible to many issues. Avoid these potential problems:

• Overwatering – Can lead to root rot, the primary cause of death

• Poor drainage – Wet soils cause fungus and decay

• Excess shade – Leads to reduced flowering and leggy appearance

• Harsh winters – Protect with mulch in zones 5 and 6

• Few pests – Occasionally aphids, snails or slugs

Provide well-draining soil in full sun, avoid excessive moisture, and mother of thyme will stay lush and healthy for years of enjoyment!

The Many Benefits of Mother of Thyme

What makes mother of thyme such a treasured garden plant?

• Long flowering period from early summer into fall

• Tolerates light foot traffic without damage

• Spreads quickly to cover ground as a living mulch

• Produces lovely flowers to attract pollinators

• Remains evergreen through winter in warm zones

• Features fragrant foliage perfect for sensory gardens

• Requires minimal maintenance and care

• Thrives in poor, dry soils and challenging sites

• Stays tidy and dense with occasional shearings

• Adds texture and beauty as a lawn or pathway substitute

Few plants combine sturdy evergreen foliage, waves of colorful blooms, sweet fragrance, and the ability to thrive under footsteps like mother of thyme!

In Summary

If you’re seeking a rugged, low-maintenance spreading groundcover, mother of thyme is an excellent choice. This trailing woody perennial flourishes in full sun and lean soils, requires little care, and stands up well to foot traffic. The petite fuzzy leaves remain evergreen in warm zones and give off a minty fragrance when crushed. Clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers blanket the foliage in summer, attracting pollinators.

Let mother of thyme cascade gracefully over walls and walkways, fill gaps in stonework, soften hardscape edges, cover banks and slopes, and serve as an aromatic evergreen lawn alternative. Give this tough and versatile groundcover a try in your own landscape!