Coccineus Thyme

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Fragrant as a sun-warmed hillside, Coccineus Thyme carpets the garden with a vivid, aromatic presence—its tiny leaves release a bright, herbal perfume at every touch.

At maturity, the mat forms a low, spreading cushion with a fine, velvety texture and a graceful trailing habit that looks as good as it smells. Ideal for edging and ground-cover plantings, it brings a living, fragrant accent to pathways and sunny borders while offering abundant blooms that draw pollinators through the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Spreading

Botanical illustration of Coccineus Thyme

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Aug 23rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Spreading
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Creeping thyme has a vivid, sun-warmed leafiness—tiny but punchy—so it behaves best when you keep heat brief and let the aroma lead. Chop it fine and add at the end, because long cooking softens the flavor into something flatter than the fresh, menthol-adjacent perfume you’re chasing.

Best Uses

chopped into vinaigrettes and pan sauces right at the end so the perfume stays up
tossed through warm potatoes or roasted carrots for an earthy snap
used as a fragrant garnish on grilled fish or lamb (a light shower, not a heavy handful)
steeped briefly for a tea-like infusion in summer drinks

Flavor Profile

bright, minty-herbal aroma small-leaf thyme spice with a gentle bitterness fine, velvety chew when eaten fresh

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil grilled lamb roasted root vegetables goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Thymus serpyllum (creeping wild thyme), and how can I prevent it?

A common problem is fungal root rot from poorly drained soil, often showing up as sudden wilting and yellowing. Plant in a gritty, well-draining mix, water only when the top layer dries, and space plants so foliage dries quickly in full sun. If you see spots or dieback, remove affected sprigs and avoid overhead watering to slow spread in humid weather.

How often should I water Thymus serpyllum during its main growing phase?

During active growth, water deeply but infrequently so moisture reaches the rooting zone, then let the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) dry before watering again. In full sun and warm weather, this often means about once per week, but adjust based on soil dryness rather than a fixed schedule. Keep watering lighter in cooler periods to avoid soggy soil.

How do I know when Thymus serpyllum is ready to harvest?

You can begin light harvesting once plants are well established and have a strong, leafy growth—typically after about 90–120 days from sowing. Harvest when shoots are actively growing and before the plants become woody, choosing tender stems and cutting back to just above a set of leaves. For best flavor, pick in the morning after dew has dried but before the hottest part of the day.