There are approximately 350 species of thyme ( Thymusspp . ) , which is an evergreen flowering plant . Creeping thyme ( Thymus serpyllum ) is a low - develop , gym mat - forming species that can be used as a substitute for traditional sod lawn . Like other groundcover plant , it can also be used in rock gardens and to fill in spaces between stepping gemstone .
Creeping thyme is drought resistant and winter hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8 .
Creeping Thyme Identification
Creeping thyme plant have a height of about 3 inch with a gap of about a infantry . Their leaves are lilliputian and hairy and blue - green in color .
This species grow small , tubular pinkish bloom in June and July . Because it can tolerate foot traffic , mouse thyme can be used as a lawn option .
Also sleep together as mother of thyme , creeping thyme flowers contain nectar , which attracts pollinators , including bees . Therefore , a thyme lawn may not be the best option to a grass lawn if it will be frequented by children or pets .
Tip
bee are draw to creeping thyme bloom , an important consideration when using this plant as a lawn substitute .
Though related to culinary thyme , fawn thyme is rarely consumed , though it has the pleasant aroma associate with this herb .
Another low - growing thyme plant that can be used as a lawn replacement works is red creeping thyme ( Thymus praecox’Coccineus , ' zones 5 to 8) , which has rose-cheeked red blossom .
Planting a Creeping Thyme Lawn
While species creep thyme can be grow from thyme seed , doing so can be unmanageable , and cultivars are best propagate via cutting off . mouse thyme plugs , which are seedlings , can be used to commence the lawn , though they can be expensive and difficult to acquire .
Creeping thymeshould be set in bound or fall . This species uprise best in loamy or flaxen soils . It is important that these plants be grown in soil with good drainage to avoid root rot .
tolerate a length of 6 to 12 inches between plant .
Creeping Thyme Lawn Care
sneak thyme grows unspoilt in full Sunday . It does well in jumpy , arenaceous stain and is therefore a good alternative to turfgrass if you are dealing with miserable grease .
Creeping thyme grows best when it is planted in dry soil and receives full sun .
sneak thyme plant life are very drought liberal and get undecomposed in dry conditions , make them low-pitched - maintenance plants that require less piss than a traditional lawn . And , unlike a grass lawn , creeping thyme lawn do not need to be fertilized .
However , creeping thyme plants do need to be slew back in fiat to keep the plant look neat and to concentrate the amount of woody growth . These flora lose their vigour after a few long time . They should be divided every three or four yr to restore the lawn .
