Creeping Thyme

Thymus serpyllum Seeds per packet ~ 70 Germination 77%  Nov 2025 Origins and History Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a low-growing wild thyme native to parts of Europe and western Asia, long valued as both a culinary herb and a medicinal groundcover. Unlike common garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris), T. serpyllum is closely tied to the “wild thyme” traditions of village gardens, pasture edges, and rocky hillsides, where people favored plants that stayed compact, survived drought, and offered intense fragrance when brushed underfoot. Over generations, gardeners informally “domesticated” creeping thyme by selecting mats that were especially aromatic, winter-hardy, and floriferous—then propagating them by division or saving seed from the best patches. Many heirloom strains reflect this practical selection: tough plants that thrive in thin soils, spread into living carpets, and bloom heavily to feed pollinators while perfuming the air. Appearance and Characteristics Creeping thyme forms de