Red creeping thyme is a beautiful, hardy groundcover plant that adds wonderful texture and aroma to gardens. With its fast growing habit and carpets of red flowers, thyme makes an excellent addition to rock gardens, as a lawn alternative, between pavers, in containers or any area needing dense, low care cover. If you’re looking for red creeping thyme seeds to start growing this adaptible plant, here’s where to find them near you.
A Bit About Red Creeping Thyme
Also called wooly thyme or elfin thyme, red creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is a popular variety grown for its attractive foliage and stunning red flowers. Native to mountainous areas of Europe, this sun-loving plant does well in zones 4-9 across the United States.
Red creeping thyme only reaches 1-3 inches tall but spreads quickly, covering up to 12 inches wide in a single growing season. The tiny rounded leaves form a tight mat of foliage that releases a pleasant herbal aroma when stepped on or brushed.
From late spring through mid summer, abundant clusters of tiny red or pink flowers cover the plant. These edible, nectar-rich blossoms attract pollinators while providing months of color. After flowering finishes, the foliage remains attractive through winter.
Thanks to its dense growing habit, red creeping thyme effectively crowds out weeds. It’s also drought tolerant once established. This versatility makes it ideal for walkways, rock gardens, between stairs, in dry banks, trailing over walls and more. The fine leaves and stems even stand up well to some foot traffic.
Where to Buy Red Creeping Thyme Seeds
Red creeping thyme is usually grown from seed Here are some of the best sources to find seeds locally or online
Local Garden Stores
Check with your independent garden center or local nurseries. Many carry a selection of thyme seeds in stock or can special order them for you.
Popular national chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s also sell thyme seeds at certain times of year, often in spring and fall Stock can sell out quickly though.
Visit garden stores in person to inspect seed packets Look for organic seeds packaged for the current year Reputable brands like Botanical Interests, Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Park Seed and Burpee Seeds are good options.
Online Seed Retailers
Ordering thyme seeds online gives you access to a huge variety of seed options that local stores often don’t carry.
Some top online sources for organic, non-GMO thyme seeds include:
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Eden Brothers – Offers two types of red creeping thyme seeds along with growing guides and tips.
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True Leaf Market – Sells non-GMO red creeping thyme seeds in a few package sizes.
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Seedman.com – Carries many thyme seed varieties including red creeping. Bulk discounts available.
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MIgardener – Specializes in affordable seeds, including creeping thyme.
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Amazon – Search Amazon for individual seed brands or mixes containing red creeping thyme.
When ordering online, look at customer reviews and descriptions to ensure you’re getting viable seeds delivered promptly.
Catalogs
Gardeners with green thumbs love browsing seed and plant catalogs for inspiration and discovering new varieties.
Several catalogs sell red creeping thyme seeds. Watch for the new seasons catalogs to arrive in late winter and early spring.
Top picks include:
- Burpee
- Gurney’s
- Territorial Seeds
- Park Seed
- Jung Seed
- Pinetree Garden Seeds
Local Nurseries
If you need red creeping thyme plants right away, visit your local independent garden nurseries. Many sell thyme starters or established potted plants ready for transplanting.
Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s also stock thyme plants seasonally, often in their herb sections. Check for healthy, pest-free plants with no root binding.
How to Grow Red Creeping Thyme
Red creeping thyme thrives in zones 4-9. It prefers full sun but tolerates some shade. Well-drained soil is essential. Sandy, loamy or rocky soil is ideal.
Sow seeds directly outside in spring once the danger of frost has passed. Press seeds into soil but do not cover. Keep moist until germination occurs in 2-3 weeks.
For quicker blooms, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Harden off seedlings then transplant them 12 inches apart into the garden after the danger of frost.
Water lightly two times per week until established. Too much moisture can lead to rot with this drought tolerant plant. Shear plants after flowering to encourage regrowth. Cuttings root readily in water or moist soil. Divide overgrown plants in spring or fall.
With proper care, expect this hardy perennial to provide weed suppression, fragrance and beauty to your garden for years to come!
So if you want to add low maintenance red creeping thyme to your outdoor space, seek out seeds or starter plants from the sources above. Let this garden workhorse enhance your beds, borders, walkways and more with delightful foliage and flowers.
How to Plant Creeping Thyme Seeds
Creeping Thyme seeds require light to germinate, so be careful not to cover them when planting. Learn more about germination light requirements here.
Direct Sow seeds outdoors when temperatures are consistently in the high 60s or above. Division of established plantings can be done in March and April. Fall plantings should be avoided to protect against freeze damage. It should take between 21 and 28 days for seeds to germinate on average, and they should be kept moist until they are fully grown. When planting, seeds should not be covered with soil, but rather pressed into the soil. Good seed to soil contact is necessary for ideal germination rates. After the seeds start to sprout, water the soil 6 inches deep when the top few inches dry out. In warmer and drier climates, a light mulching may help keep the soil moist, but mulching is usually not needed if seeds are planted between pavers or in shadier spots. If you are planting in poor soil, a small amount of delayed release fertilizer may help. But if you prepare the soil well (by mixing in a layer of 2-3 inches of manure, compost, or other organic matter before you plant), you shouldn’t need fertilizer.
Where to Plant Creeping Thyme Seeds
Creeping Thyme prefers well drained soil with a neutral pH (between 6. 5 and 7. 5) in an area where it receives good sun, but can also tolerate partial shade. Creeping thyme is a slow grower and will take more than one season to reach its full potential.
Planting Creeping Thyme
FAQ
Can I just scatter creeping thyme seeds?
How hard is it to grow red creeping thyme from seed?
What is the downside to red creeping thyme?
What month do you plant creeping thyme?
What is red creeping thyme?
Red Creeping Thyme forms a a low and dense carpet of tiny, shiny dark green leaves that become smothered in brilliant crimson-lavender flowers in summer. The 2 to 3 inch high foliage is highly aromatic when crushed. Excellent as a groundcover, between stepping stones and around boulders. Get all the details below!
Can you grow red creeping thyme from seed?
Red creeping thyme may be grown from seed or from nursery plants. However, thyme is slow-growing, and seeds for this variety are not widely available. For ease and efficiency, purchasing plants is recommended.
Is red creeping thyme a good ground cover?
Creeping Red Thyme is fast, low growing semi-evergreen thyme valued for its fragrant foliage . Red Creeping Thyme hugs the ground, making it an excellent choice to plant between pavers or as an ground cover. Fragrant ground cover. Easy to grow in ordinary, well-drained soil. Used as a ground cover – not for culinary use.
Where is creeping red thyme grown?
Creeping Red Thyme is grown in: Pint Pots Plants shipping to CA and AZ addresses may be bare rooted before being prepped for shipping.
Is red creeping thyme drought tolerant?
Red creeping thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus’) is a drought-tolerant, sun-loving, herbaceous perennial belonging to the mint (Lamiaceae) family. Although it appears delicate, this thyme adapts well to a range of well-draining environments and even tolerates light foot traffic. These attributes make it a low-maintenance and beginner-friendly plant.
Is red creeping thyme edible?
Red creeping thyme is edible, although it is more commonly used as a ground cover. Like other thyme varieties, it can be used as a culinary herb or made into teas, and as an herbal component in folk medicine.