Thymus Minus

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Aromatic as a sunlit hillside—Thymus Minus releases a vivid, thyme-forward fragrance with every brush of foliage, carrying a warm, herbal lift that lingers in the garden air.

This creeping thyme forms a dense, low mat of tiny leaves with a fine, velvety texture, ideal for edging and filling in bare ground while staying pleasantly compact. Grow it for its intense scent and its enduring presence—an herbaceous perennial that rewards close attention year after year.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Perennial_Crown

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Thymus Minus Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Direct Sow	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Perennial_Crown
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

With its tightly packed, velvety leaves, this creeping thyme is all about concentrated aromatic release—bruise it and it goes punchy rather than woody. Use it where you’ll taste the herb—finish with butter or olive oil so the warm, peppery lift stays right on the palate.

Best Uses

dry rubs and quick pan-sears where you want the aroma to bloom
stew and braise aromatics (tied in or bruised for release)
olive-oil infusions for finishing and dipping
chopped into butter for compound butter and burger/steak topping

Flavor Profile

bright thyme-herb snap warm, slightly peppery undertone fine, minty-aromatic finish low-fibrous leaf texture when minced

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil butter chicken lamb

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum, Lamiaceae) most often suffers from root rot when the soil stays wet—look for sudden wilting, yellowing, and stems that pull away easily. Improve drainage immediately, water only when the top 1–2 cm of soil is dry, and remove any collapsed plants to prevent spread; thinning overcrowded patches also improves airflow around the foliage.

How often should I water Thymus serpyllum during active growth?

During the main growing phase, water deeply only when the surface has dried—typically about once every 7–10 days in summer if there’s no rain, but less often in cool or humid weather. Aim for evenly moist soil at rooting depth early on, then shift to drier conditions to keep this thyme’s shallow root system healthy and prevent rot.

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

Harvest around 60 days after germination when the plants have filled in and produce strong, fragrant foliage; for best flavor, cut just before the small flowers fully open. Snip stems with sharp scissors in the morning, and don’t remove more than about one-third of the top growth at a time so the patch can regrow for additional cuts.