Red creeping thyme, or Thymus praecox, grows quickly to make a thick carpet of small leaves and bright flowers. The soft green leaves give off a pleasant smell when they are touched or crushed.
In early summer, hundreds of bright pink and red flowers bloom, enhancing the already pleasant aroma. Butterflies and bees are drawn to the flowers because of the nectar they produce.
Red creeping thyme is an excellent low-maintenance addition to any garden. As it spreads, it grows densely, crowding out undesirable weeds.
Read this whole article to learn how to take great care of red creeping thyme so it grows well in your garden.
With its carpets of colorful blooms and pungent fragrance, red creeping thyme is a beloved garden plant. But where did this versatile groundcover originally hail from? I decided to dig into the native origins of red creeping thyme to uncover the story behind its botanical roots.
Overview of Red Creeping Thyme’s Native Range
Red creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is native to a region spanning parts of Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. Some key areas within its native range include:
- Northern and Central Europe
- Mediterranean Basin
- Turkey
- Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia
- Middle East
The species has naturalized beyond this native range in locations with similar climate conditions like North America, Australia, and New Zealand. But genetically, its origins trace back to the Old World.
Tracing the Etymology and Meaning of “Thyme”
The name “thyme” offers clues about the ancient history of this beloved herb
The word thyme derives from the Greek term “thymos.” Thymos referred to the herb’s strong aromatic qualities and fragrance.
Thyme’s genus name Thymus also comes from the Greek thymos. So from its very origins, this plant was known for its signature scent.
During medieval times, knights and warriors would often carry or wear sprigs of thyme. The herb represented bravery, strength, and courage due to its associations with the term thymos.
So the name “thyme” reflects both its fragrance and its historical ties to virtue and valor.
Why Is Creeping Thyme Called “Creeping”?
Red creeping thyme earned the descriptive term “creeping” in its common name thanks to its spreading, low-growing nature.
The species produces long trailing stems that extend horizontally outward from the central plant. These creeping stems root themselves as they grow, allowing the thyme to spread into mats or carpets.
This spreading, creeping habit covers ground densely and prevents soil erosion. But it also means creeping thyme can be invasive in the garden!
The Origins of the Taxonomic Name Thymus Praecox
The species name praecox provides more clues about this plant’s origins. Praecox roughly translates from Latin as “very early.”
This refers to red creeping thyme’s flowering habit. The species reliably blooms abundantly in early summer or even late spring.
So the Latin name Thymus praecox identifies one of its most iconic traits – its early season profusion of colorful flowers.
Native Wildlife Relationships and Uses
In its native European and Mediterranean regions, red creeping thyme has many traditional uses:
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Beekeepers favor it for its profuse nectar production that supports honey bees.
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The herb is used for culinary, medicinal, and ornamental purposes.
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Its scent and nectar attract beneficial pollinators and butterflies.
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Mat-forming growth provides cover for small wildlife and helps prevent soil erosion.
So in its native range, this versatile plant plays many ecological roles and has developed symbiotic relationships with both animals and people over centuries.
Introducing Red Creeping Thyme Beyond Its Native Region
While red creeping thyme’s story began in Europe/Western Asia, humans have spread it far beyond those boundaries.
The herb is now common in floral trades and gardens across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It has become naturalized in these regions, meaning it grows wild in some areas.
Its popularity as a hardy, attractive groundcover makes it a go-to choice for gardeners worldwide. As with many favorite garden plants, it has been shared globally for its beauty and usefulness.
Why Red Creeping Thyme Thrives Across Diverse Regions
The key traits that allow red creeping thyme to perform well across vastly different climate zones include:
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Adaptability to a range of soil types and moisture levels
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Tolerates drought, heat, humidity, and cold with hardiness to zone 4
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Low-maintenance growth habit once established
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Ability to propagate and spread efficiently
These traits made it a survivor in its native region. They now help it succeed far beyond its original species range – on entirely new continents!
Celebrating a European Native Treasured Worldwide
While Europe and Western Asia were the cradle for red creeping thyme, the species’ charm and resilience have since allowed its reach to span the globe.
We now get to enjoy this Mediterranean native for its ornamental appeal, culinary uses, aromatherapy potential, and wildlife support far from its original home. Red creeping thyme remains beloved in gardens worldwide.
So next time you admire its carpets of color or breathe its lovely scent, appreciate that you are enjoying a tough, adaptable plant that has successfully expanded from its native region to yours!
How to Plant and Grow Red Creeping Thyme
Choose a sunny location where they can thrive. Although creeping thyme can tolerate some shade, peak flowering requires full sun i. e. 6+ hours of sunlight per day). Next, ensure that the soil drainage is great.
Adding compost, leaf mold, or soil conditioner to the soil can make it lighter. Adding sand to clay soils can make them less dense.
How to Plant Red Creeping Thyme from Seed
Red creeping thyme grows quickly and has self-seeding characteristics. Once established outside, creeping thyme reproduces by self-seeding and keeps growing and enhancing the landscape.
After the last frost, plant the red creeping thyme seeds directly in the ground. You can also start the seeds indoors in trays filled with good potting mix before the six-week countdown to the end of frost season.
Cover these seeds with soil that is no more than 1/16 of an inch deep. They need light to grow. Maintain temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and keep the soil moist but not wet.
In 14 to 21 days, the seeds will sprout, and new growth will appear. Do ‘thinning’ by keeping only healthy seedlings and removing the weaker ones.
Once frost is no longer a threat, move the seedlings to a large container or plant them directly in the garden once they have grown roots and become big enough.
Red creeping thyme and ground cover thyme varieties
FAQ
Is red creeping thyme invasive?
What ground cover is native to North America?
Is red creeping thyme toxic to dogs?
Where does red creeping thyme grow best?
Where does red creeping thyme grow?
The plant is a member of the mint family, and it is native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows wild in rocky and dry areas. The Coccineus Group is often also listed as Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus or Thymus praecox subsp. arcticus. What is Special about Red Creeping Thyme?
Is red creeping thyme a good plant?
Creeping thyme, with its semi-evergreen foliage, is an excellent mat-forming landscaping shrub. And when red creeping thyme blooms in summer, it transforms gardens with a carpet of dark pink, magenta, and deep reddish hues. The beauty of red creeping thyme is that it is low maintenance and requires little effort to grow.
Is creeping thyme a perennial?
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for creeping thyme. If you haven’t heard about creeping thyme, you may have been living under a rock—where this plant thrives. Several members of the genus Thymus are called creeping thyme, but they are all perennials with a low, spreading form and make excellent groundcovers.
When should I plant red creeping thyme?
Plant red creeping thyme either in spring or in fall — it’s tough for young plants to get established in summer’s heat. Spacing depends on what size plants you start with, how large your space is and how quickly you want the landscape to fill with growth.