Mother of Thyme: The Perfect Ground Cover for Your Garden

As a gardener, I’m always on the lookout for hardy, low-maintenance plants to use as ground covers. After some research, I’ve found that mother of thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is one of the best options for a durable, carefree ground cover that also adds beauty and usefulness to the garden. In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about growing mother of thyme as a ground cover.

An Overview of Mother of Thyme

Mother of thyme, also called wild thyme, creeping thyme, or creeping red thyme, is a perennial plant in the mint family. It’s native to Europe and Asia but grows well in USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9.

This herbaceous plant grows only 2-4 inches tall making it a low-growing ground cover. It spreads via trailing stems that take root where they touch the ground. The small green leaves are aromatic when crushed.

One of the best features of mother of thyme is the flowers. Clusters of pink-purple blooms cover the plant from early summer into fall The flowers are also edible and add flavor when used fresh or dried

In addition to being useful and beautiful, mother of thyme is also durable and low maintenance. It holds up well to foot traffic and recovers quickly if damaged. Once established, it requires little care.

Growing Conditions for Mother of Thyme

Mother of thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It prefers dry, alkaline soils. While it tolerates short periods of drought, it cannot withstand wet feet or soggy soils.

This plant spreads quickly to form a dense mat in ideal growing conditions. However, it grows more slowly in shade or poor soils. It can tolerate partial shade but may get leggy and lose vigor.

Mother of thyme grows well planted from seed, cuttings, or division. Plant it in spring or fall, spacing plants 6-12 inches apart. Water until established, then water only during extended drought.

Once planted, mother of thyme requires little maintenance. Prune lightly after flowering to encourage new growth. Other than that, just sit back and enjoy this carefree ground cover.

Why Use Mother of Thyme as a Ground Cover?

There are so many reasons why mother of thyme is one of the best choices for ground cover:

• Dense, quick growth smothers weeds
• Withstands foot traffic
• Evergreen in mild winters
• Drought tolerant and low water needs
• Deer and rabbit resistant
• Fragrant foliage and flowers
• Edible leaves and flowers add flavor
• Attracts pollinators
• No serious pests or diseases
• Extremely low maintenance
• Adds year-round interest

In my experience, mother of thyme outcompetes weeds, preventing the need for mulch. Its quick growth and dense mat add durability and make it perfect for areas with foot traffic or between pavers. The carefree nature, pretty blooms, and wildlife benefits are just extra bonuses.

Where to Use Mother of Thyme Ground Cover

Here are some of my favorite ways to utilize mother of thyme’s qualities in the garden:

• Between flagstones
• Border edging
• Rock gardens
• Slopes and banks
• Cascading over walls or planters
• Pathways
• Fairy gardens
• Kitchen herb gardens
• Containers
• Areas with poor soil
• Near vegetable gardens to attract pollinators

Mother of thyme makes a beautiful lawn substitute and can be used in place of grass in sunny areas. Try planting it on slopes or banks to prevent erosion. The dense mat contains and stabilizes the soil.

Allow it to wander through your rock garden or cascade over stone walls. The effect is gorgeous! It also helps prevent weeds in your rock garden without the need to mulch.

Caring for Mother of Thyme

Caring for mother of thyme couldn’t get much easier:

Watering: Drought tolerant. Water during extended dry periods. Use the finger test to check soil moisture.

Soil: Prefers dry, well-draining soil. Avoid wet soils.

Sun: Grows best in full sun. Can tolerate partial shade.

Fertilizer: Usually not needed but you can use a slow-release fertilizer in poor soils.

Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering to encourage new growth. Remove any damaged or dead portions.

Pests/Diseases: Deer and rabbit resistant. No serious pest or disease problems.

Winter Care: Evergreen in zones 7-9. Dies back in colder climates but returns each spring.

That’s really all there is to it! Just give it the growing conditions it needs and this hardy little plant will provide years of low-maintenance beauty.

How to Propagate Mother of Thyme

This easy-growing ground cover can be planted from seeds, cuttings, division, or nursery transplants:

Seeds: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost. Transplant seedlings outdoors when soil warms.

Cuttings: Take 3-4 inch cuttings from new growth in summer. Dip in rooting hormone and plant in potting mix. Keep moist until rooted.

Division: Dig up established plants in spring and divide the root ball with a shovel or knife. Replant divisions.

Transplants: Purchase young plants from a nursery and transplant them 6-12 inches apart into prepared garden beds.

I like to take divisions from mature plants to propagate more ground cover each year. It’s simple and free!

Controlling Mother of Thyme Ground Cover

While mother of thyme isn’t considered aggressive or invasive, its spreading habit can quickly fill in an area. Make sure to plant it where you want it to spread. Here are some tips:

• Surround area with a border or edge to contain it. Pavers, rocks, or metal edging work well.

• Be diligent about pruning and removing stray runners outside desired area.

• Plan to divide frequently to control spread. Replant divisions where wanted.

• Avoid planting near delicate plants. Mother of thyme can overwhelm smaller, slower growing plants. Give it plenty of space.

Take the time to properly site this ground cover within defined beds or borders. Prune the edges to keep it where you want it. Then let the mother of thyme spill freely within its designated space.

Combining Mother of Thyme with Other Plants

Here are some great options for plant pairings with mother of thyme:

• Sedums
• Dianthus
• Verbena
• Lavender
• Salvia
• Coreopsis
• Catmint
• Yarrow
• Ornamental grasses
• Roses
• Euphorbia
• Sage
• Thyme

Choose sun-loving perennials with similar growth habits to combine with mother of thyme. The possibilities are endless! Just be sure to give each plant enough room to grow.

Problems and Solutions for Mother of Thyme

Mother of thyme is relatively trouble-free. Here are some potential issues and solutions:

Getting leggy: This indicates too much shade. Move to a sunnier location or prune more frequently.

Poor flowering: Increase sun exposure and prune after flowering. Fertilize in poor soils.

Woody growth: Sign of old age. Time to propagate new plants as replacements.

Invading lawns or paths: Install borders and prune runners that escape confines.

Wet soil problems: Improve drainage. Avoid overwatering. Don’t plant in chronically wet sites.

Slugs: Pick off by hand or use iron phosphate slug bait. Avoid toxic baits.

Dieback: From overwatering or winter damage. Prune out dead sections and improve drainage.

Root rot: Present in chronically wet soils. Improve drainage before replanting.

With proper siting and care, you’re unlikely to run into many issues. Mother of thyme’s biggest drawback is its tendency to spread aggressively in ideal conditions. Just be sure to give it the space it needs to roam without impacting nearby plants.

Why I Love Mother of Thyme as Groundcover

As you can see, mother of thyme has rightfully earned its reputation as a tough, useful, and beautiful ground cover. Here’s a summary of why I love it:

• Hardy and durable for high traffic areas
• Low maintenance and carefree once established
• Spreads quickly to choke out weeds
• Adds lovely color and fragrance to the garden
• Attracts pollinators with pretty flowers
• Provides edible leaves and flowers
• Stays green in winter for year-round interest
• Tolerates poor soil, heat, and drought
• Deer and rabbit resistant

For these reasons and more, mother of thyme is hands-down my favorite choice of ground cover for pathways, rock gardens, borders, and beyond. I think you’ll love growing this versatile little plant too! Give mother of thyme a try as your new go-to hardy groundcover.