Creeping thyme is a versatile, low-growing groundcover known for its aromatic qualities and dense foliage. This resilient plant forms a mat, making it a functional and aesthetic addition to many gardens. Companion planting, which involves growing different plant species together, can further benefit garden health.
Benefits of Creeping Thyme Companion Planting
Integrating creeping thyme with other plants offers several advantages for a thriving garden. Its dense, mat-like growth naturally suppresses weeds by shading out seedlings and competing for resources, reducing the need for manual weeding. Creeping thyme also helps retain soil moisture by acting as a living mulch, reducing evaporation, particularly during dry periods. Its root system also helps bind soil particles, contributing to erosion control on slopes.
Creeping thyme attracts beneficial pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and predatory wasps. These pollinators can improve the fruit set of nearby plants. The aromatic properties of creeping thyme also deter common garden pests such as cabbage loopers, cabbage maggots, corn earworms, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies. Utilizing creeping thyme as a living mulch around other plants helps create a more balanced and resilient garden environment.
Best Companion Plants for Creeping Thyme
Successful companion planting with creeping thyme involves selecting plants that share similar environmental needs: full sun, well-draining soil, and low water requirements. Many Mediterranean herbs make excellent partners. Rosemary, lavender, oregano, and sage thrive in similar sunny, dry, and gritty soil. Their aromas enhance sensory appeal and deter pests. Chamomile and marjoram also share growth requirements and attract beneficial insects.
Several flowering plants also pair well. Sedum (known for succulent leaves and water storage), coneflowers (Echinacea), and low-growing salvias are suitable companions. Dianthus, tickseed (Coreopsis), and bellflowers (Campanula) also tolerate dry, well-draining soil, adding varied textures and colors. Sweet alyssum attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and lacewings that prey on aphids.
Creeping thyme can be incorporated into vegetable gardens, especially around plants benefiting from weed suppression and pest deterrence. Tomatoes benefit from creeping thyme’s ability to repel tomato hornworms and other pests, acting as a living mulch. Brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) also benefit from its pest-deterring qualities, repelling cabbage loopers and maggots. Eggplant and potatoes are further vegetable companions that can experience reduced pest pressure.
Plants Not Suited for Creeping Thyme Companionship
Not all plants are compatible with creeping thyme, due to differing water, light, or aggressive growth habits. Plants requiring consistently moist or wet soil are unsuitable, as creeping thyme is highly susceptible to root rot. This includes many bog plants and herbs like basil, cilantro, chives, parsley, and mint, which prefer richer, damp soil. Garden peppers and cucumbers also have higher water needs.
Creeping thyme thrives in full sun, requiring six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth. Plants preferring significant shade, such as ferns or hostas, will not flourish. Shade-loving plants in full sun scorch, while creeping thyme in shade becomes leggy with reduced flowering.
While creeping thyme is a vigorous spreader, other aggressive groundcovers can outcompete it. Plants like periwinkle, bugleweed, ivy, bishop’s weed, or chameleon plant are known for rapid, invasive spreading. Pairing them with creeping thyme can lead to an unbalanced garden where one plant overtakes the other.
Setting Up Your Creeping Thyme Companion Garden
Establishing a successful creeping thyme companion garden begins with careful site selection. Choose a location that receives full sun, ideally six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, as this is where creeping thyme performs best. Good drainage is paramount, so select an area where water does not pool.
Soil preparation is crucial for plant longevity. Creeping thyme prefers well-drained, lean soil, often thriving in sandy, gritty, or rocky conditions. If your garden has heavy clay soil, amend it with coarse sand or fine gravel to improve drainage and aeration. The ideal soil pH ranges from 6.0 to 8.0, indicating a neutral to slightly alkaline preference.
When planting, space creeping thyme seedlings or divisions about six to twelve inches apart, depending on desired cover speed. This spacing allows for air circulation and spreading. Initially, keep the soil consistently moist (not waterlogged) to help young plants establish roots.
Once established, creeping thyme is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering, typically once every seven to ten days, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Occasional weeding may be necessary early on until the thyme forms a dense mat and suppresses competing weeds. Minimal fertilization is needed, as creeping thyme thrives in poor to moderately fertile soil.