White Flower Farm
Thymus Coccineus Group
Best low-maintenance groundcover for sunny, high-traffic garden pathways.
Thymus Coccineus Group, or Creeping Thyme, forms dense mats of fine, evergreen foliage that turn bronze in fall. This fragrant perennial blankets itself in small, reddish-purple flowers on 3-inch stems during early summer. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal care and tolerating foot traffic, making it ideal for hot, dry areas, walkways, or as an informal edging. Its low water needs and drought tolerance make it a resilient choice for various garden settings.
$16.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1080
/ 2690
#1080 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-63%
Below average
Common Name
Thyme
/ Thyme
Who it's for
- Eco-conscious gardeners wanting to support local pollinator populations
- Gardeners seeking low-maintenance weed suppression for pathways
- Homeowners in arid climates needing water-wise landscaping
Who should skip it
- Gardeners working with heavy, moisture-retaining clay soils
- Impatient gardeners looking for immediate, full-coverage results
- Owners of shaded yards with limited direct sunlight
Performance breakdown
Drought Resilience
Thrives in arid conditions with minimal supplemental watering requirements.
Ground Cover Density
Creates a thick, weed-suppressing mat that blankets garden surfaces effectively.
Foot Traffic Tolerance
Robust enough for walkways and areas with frequent light activity.
Maintenance Ease
Requires very little intervention once established in the landscape.
Seasonal Interest
Offers evergreen foliage, summer blooms, and attractive bronze autumn tones.
Hardiness Versatility
Wide zone adaptability makes it a reliable choice for diverse climates.
Key Specs
Common Name
Thyme
Hardiness Zone
3-10
Exposure
Full Sun
Mature Height
3 inches
Spacing
12-18 inches
Soil Type
Sandy, Loamy
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Ships as
1 Pint
Features
- Forms dense, low-growing mats
- Fragrant foliage and flowers
- Evergreen with attractive fall color
- Tolerates foot traffic
- Excellent for hot, dry areas
- Low maintenance required
- Drought tolerant
- Suitable for planting between stones
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Thymus Coccineus plants upon arrival, noting they are healthy, well rooted, and ready for immediate planting. The primary sentiment revolves around reliability; this groundcover establishes quickly and spreads effectively, providing the desired dense, fragrant mat even in challenging areas. Consumers feel confident in the plant's hardiness and its ability to perform exactly as advertised, making it a highly reliable choice for rock gardens and pathways.
Know before you buy
Yes, this variety is an excellent choice for planting between stones. Its low-growing, mat-forming habit and ability to tolerate light foot traffic make it ideal for filling gaps in walkways.
Thymus Coccineus requires full sun, which means at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Without sufficient light, the plant may become leggy and produce fewer flowers.
Yes, it is considered evergreen across its hardiness range of zones 3-10. While the foliage remains throughout the winter, you can expect the leaves to shift to an attractive bronze hue once the temperatures drop in the fall.
Once established, this plant is quite drought-tolerant and requires minimal supplemental watering. It prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soil and will struggle if kept in consistently wet or boggy conditions.
For a dense, carpet-like effect, space your plants 12 to 18 inches apart. They will gradually spread to fill in the gaps, creating a uniform mat over time.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$16