Species mother of thyme

mother of thyme

Thymus serpyllum

Also Known As - creeping thyme
Mother of Thyme (Thymus Serpyllum) is a small, pink flowering, fragrant herb. Its foliage is green with a hint of silver, and it spreads by rhizomes to create an attractive form in the garden. Its funnel-shaped, purple flowers come later in summer, attracting pollinators and lending a light aroma. Mother of Thyme is an excellent choice for rock gardens, edging, and attractively-scaled container gardening. It’s low-growing and easy to maintain, tolerating both hot and cold climates. This hardy herb pairs nicely with other plants, and will grow in any well-drained soil.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Deep pink Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Well-drained

Fruits:

brown,tan Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Mother of thyme requires watering once every 7-10 days, depending on soil moisture. The amount of water depends on the climate, but generally, water until the top inch of soil is slightly damp. Make sure the soil is well-drained, as over-watering can cause root rot.

sunlight

Mother of thyme plants need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day, but will benefit from even more. They will not necessarily require full sun all day, as they do enjoy some partial shade, especially in hotter climates. When grown indoors, they will need a brightly lit spot near the window for maximum light exposure. If you're having trouble growing your mother of thyme plants due to lack of sunlight, try setting a timer to turn on a grow light for 8-10 hours each day. This will supplement the natural sunlight and will ensure your plants are getting enough light.

pruning

Mother of Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) responds well to pruning. Heavy pruning in the late winter or early spring is best to encourage a full, dense growth habit. Cut the entire plant back by approximately 1-third. Make sure the pruners are clean, sharp and sterile to prevent disease transmission. Pinch back new shoots throughout the growing season to encourage branching and control leggy growth. Trim to shape after flowering, cutting out any straggly or dead branches. Prune this plant regularly for the best results.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Mother of thyme typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Mother of thyme typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Thymus serpyllum typically begins in June and continues through August.

Hardiness Map