Red Creeping Thyme Thymus Coccineus Group

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Thymus Coccineus Group, widely known as the red creeping thyme, is adorned with vibrant, magenta-pink flowers that bloom prolifically and can cover the foliage in a stunning display. The flowers create a vivid blanket of color during their peak bloom time. Apart from its blossoms, this plant has tiny, oval-shaped leaves with a smooth texture that are a deep green hue, further complementing the bright flowers. The foliage of red creeping thyme gives off a delightful fragrance when disturbed, adding a sensory dimension to its appearance. The leaves are small and grow densely, forming a lush, low-growing mat that spreads along the ground. This characteristic makes it an excellent plant for use as ground cover. The overall look of the red creeping thyme is both attractive to the eye and serves as a practical choice for filling in gaps between stepping stones or patio pavers, without mentioning its spatial growth measurements.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Creeping Thyme, Red Creeping Thyme, Mother-of-Thyme, Wild Thyme, Breckland Thyme
- Common names
  Thymus Coccineus Group
Toxicity
- To humans
  Thyme, specifically the Thymus Coccineus Group, is not considered toxic to humans. It is commonly used as a culinary herb and is safe for consumption in normal food quantities. However, consuming large amounts of thyme may lead to digestive upset due to its strong essential oils. There are no significant toxic consequences reported from ingesting typical amounts of thyme.
- To pets
  Thyme, from the Thymus Coccineus Group, is also generally considered safe for pets and is not toxic. It's often used in small amounts as a natural remedy for various ailments in pets. However, if a pet consumes large quantities of thyme, it might experience mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, due to the concentration of essential oils. There are no severe toxic effects expected from the ingestion of thyme in pets.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  6 inches (15 cm)
- Spread
  18 inches (45 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Mediterranean

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: Thymus Coccineus Group, commonly known as Creeping Thyme, adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its attractive, dense, ground-covering habit and profuse pink or purple flowers.
- Drought Tolerance: Creeping Thyme is a hardy plant that can withstand periods of low water availability, making it suitable for xeriscaping and drought-prone gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Requiring minimal care once established, it is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance landscape solution.
- Pest Resistance: This plant is generally resistant to common pests, decreasing the need for chemical pest control measures.
- Culinary Use: Although not a centerpiece for culinary use, Creeping Thyme can be used as an aromatic herb in cooking.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers of Creeping Thyme are attractive to bees and butterflies, supporting pollinator populations in the garden.
- Erosion Control: The mat-forming habit of Creeping Thyme helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and banks.
- Walkable Ground Cover: It can tolerate light foot traffic, making it a suitable ground cover for pavers, walkways, and stepping stone paths.
Medical Properties
- Antimicrobial: Thymus species can have antimicrobial properties, due to the presence of compounds like thymol and carvacrol which may inhibit the growth of various bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
- Antioxidant: The plant may have antioxidant effects, which can help in neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body.
- Anti-inflammatory: Extracts from Thymus species might exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, potentially aiding in reducing inflammation in the body.
- Antispasmodic: Thymus species are often used to relieve spasms in the digestive tract due to their antispasmodic action.
- Expectorant: The plant may act as an expectorant, helping to clear mucus from the respiratory tract.
This information is provided for reference purposes only. It is important to consult a healthcare professional before using any plant for medicinal purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Thymus Coccineus Group, commonly known as Creeping Thyme, can be used in creating aromatic sachets to scent drawers and closets, providing a mild, pleasant fragrance.
- Creeping Thyme can be planted between paving stones or bricks on a garden path to add fragrance when walked upon, as the leaves release their scent when bruised.
- It can serve as a natural insect repellent in the garden, helping to ward off certain pests with its strong scent.
- Creeping Thyme is suitable for use in crafting, such as in potpourri mixtures, due to its aromatic leaves and flowers.
- The plant can be utilized as ground cover in landscaping to prevent soil erosion on slopes and in other areas prone to erosion.
- It can be used as a lawn substitute in areas with light foot traffic, as it can withstand being stepped on and requires less water and maintenance than traditional grass.
- Creeping Thyme, when dried and burned, can be used to create a natural, herby incense for aromatherapy or religious ceremonies.
- As a culinary herb, it can be used to infuse oils and vinegars, adding a unique flavor to salad dressings and marinades.
- The flowers of Creeping Thyme can be used to make a natural dye for fabrics or crafting projects, providing shades of pink to purple.
- It can be incorporated into floral arrangements, wreaths, and decorations for its small, attractive flowers and pleasant scent.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Creeping Thyme is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Creeping Thyme is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Courage: The thyme plant has long been associated with courage. During medieval times, it was believed that the scent of thyme gave knights strength and bravery.
- Strength: Thyme is a hardy plant that can thrive in tough conditions, making it a symbol of strength and resilience.
- Health: Thyme has been used for centuries in herbal medicine, leading to its association with wellbeing and health.
- Cleansing: With thyme's antiseptic properties, it has been used historically for purification, indicating a symbolic meaning of cleansing.
- Passage: In ancient practices, thyme was used in burial rites, symbolizing safe passage to the next life or the afterlife.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Red creeping thyme, commonly known as thymus coccineus, requires minimal watering once established, as the plant is drought-tolerant. Generally, it should be watered deeply but infrequently, approximately once every 1-2 weeks, depending on the weather conditions and soil type. Ensure it receives about 1 inch of water each time, which equates to roughly 0.623 gallons per square yard. During the first growing season, to help the plant get established, you may need to water it more regularly. Always check the soil moisture before watering; the top inch should be dry to the touch.
Light
Red creeping thyme thrives in full sun conditions, which means it requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate partial shade but will develop the best flavor and most potent essential oils when provided with plenty of sunlight. A south-facing garden spot is ideal for growing red creeping thyme to ensure it receives ample sunlight.
Temperature
Red creeping thyme is hardy and can survive in a temperature range from -30°F to 120°F, making it suitable for a variety of climates. However, the ideal growing temperatures for red creeping thyme are between 60°F and 80°F. Protecting the plant from extreme cold and hot temperatures by providing mulch or shade when necessary can help maintain optimal growth.
Pruning
Prune red creeping thyme to maintain its shape, stimulate new growth, and prevent woody stems. Trim the plant lightly after it flowers, usually in late spring or early summer. Pruning once or twice a year is sufficient. The best time for pruning is after the last frost in spring or early fall to allow the plant to recover before the winter.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
For Creeping Thyme, use well-draining soil with a mix of sandy or rocky material, ensuring good drainage is key. The ideal pH range for this plant is between 6.0 and 8.0, slightly acidic to alkaline.
Repotting
Creeping Thyme rarely requires repotting as it's often grown as a perennial ground cover and prefers not being disturbed. It should only be repotted if it outgrows its container, which is infrequent.
Humidity & Misting
Creeping Thyme is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does well in dry conditions. It does not require high humidity and can thrive in average outdoor humidity levels.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light with good airflow, minimal watering.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, water sparingly.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
Thymus Coccineus Group, commonly known as Red Creeping Thyme, begins its life cycle as a seed which germinates in spring under suitable conditions of warmth and moisture. After germination, seedlings establish themselves with a root system and foliage over the spring and summer months, growing into a low, mat-forming perennial. Throughout the summer, Red Creeping Thyme enters its flowering stage, producing small, vibrant red to purple flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Once pollinated, the flowers develop into tiny nutlets which contain the seeds for the next generation, forming through late summer into fall. In the autumn, the plant often enters a period of dormancy, with growth slowing down and some of the foliage dying back in response to cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours. With the arrival of spring, the cycle repeats as new growth emerges from the perennial root system, completing the life cycle of Red Creeping Thyme.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: Creeping thyme, which the Thymus Coccineus Group represents, is most commonly propagated through division, a straightforward and effective method for many perennial herbs. The best time to carry out this process is in the spring or early fall when the plant is not in full bloom, thus allowing the roots to re-establish without the stress of supporting flowering and seed production. To propagate creeping thyme by division, carefully dig up an established plant, ensuring that you get a substantial amount of the root system. Gently break apart the plant into smaller sections, each with a good amount of roots attached. These divisions can then be replanted in well-draining soil at the same depth they were previously growing. Water them thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil around the roots, and maintain consistent moisture as the new plants establish. This method allows for a quick expansion of your creeping thyme collection and results in mature plants faster than starting from seeds.