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creeping thyme ground cover

Creeping thyme ground cover is an outstanding choice for garden enthusiasts seeking a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and visually appealing solution for filling spaces. In New Zealand gardens, creeping thyme is valued for its soft texture, aromatic foliage, and bursts of vibrant colour when in bloom. Whether you need dense coverage for pathways, want to suppress weeds between stepping stones, or are searching for a pollinator-friendly addition, creeping thyme ground cover offers versatility alongside its natural beauty.

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Thymus Ruby Carpet (Creeping Thyme Ruby Carpet)

Thymus Ruby Carpet is a variety of Creeping Thyme that carries leaves that are scented, small, and a fresh green colour. It produces short spikes carrying fragrant, red flowers through summer, and typically grows to just 15 cm tall and 40 cm wide. Thymus Ruby Carpet is commonly included in herb or cottage gardens, planted between pavers or rocks, used as a groundcover, or allowed to trail over a wall or the like.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 15 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Culinary, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
vinca-elizabeth-cran-1

Vinca Elizabeth Cran

5 from 1 customers

Vinca Elizabeth Cran is a variety of the commonly known, Lesser Periwinkle, features small, dark green leaves which are held densely on stems that creep along the ground. Semi-double, purple flowers adorn the plant in spring as it grows to about 10 cm tall and 1 m wide. Vinca Elizabeth Cran is commonly included in cottage gardens and used where a hardy groundcover is required. It is also often grown in a container or hanging basket and allowed to cascade over the edges.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 10 cm
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Shade
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White
Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.

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Coprosma kirkii green foliage held on yellow stems.

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Leptinella dioica (Bachelors Buttons)

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Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig) growing on a stone wall with colourful foliage.

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Cerastium tomentosum ground cover with grey foliage and elegant white flowers.

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Acaena novae-zelandiae colourful foliage.

Acaena novae-zelandiae (Piripiri)

Acaena novae-zelandiae is a hardy NZ native groundcover commonly known as Bidgee Widgee. It is admired for its fine green foliage and small burr like...

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Pratia angulata (Panakenake) plants growing as a dense ground cover with lush green leaves and pretty, white flowers.

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Fuchsia procumbens (Creeping Fuchsia)

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Ajuga 'Port Wine' plant in a pot for sale at The Plant Company.

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Chamaemelum nobile plants with white flowers and lush, green foliage.

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Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (prostrate Juniper) growing as a tidy ground cover.

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Coprosma acerosa growing on a sand dune.

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Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' ground cover shrub with brown stems and leaves.

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Thymus Ruby Carpet (Creeping Thyme Ruby Carpet)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Ajuga, Cerastium, Chamaemelum, Coprosma, Ficus, Fuchsia, Hedera, Isotoma, Juniperus, Leptinella, Liriope, Lobelia, Muehlenbeckia, Pachysandra, Pratia, Rhaphidophora, Rubus, Selliera Thymus and Vinca, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Grasses, Groundcover Plants Indoor Plants and Perennials.

Search creeping thyme ground cover

Why Choose Creeping Thyme Ground Cover?

Creeping thyme ground cover stands out among ground covering plants due to its adaptability and minimal care requirements. Once established, creeping thyme forms a dense carpet that inhibits weed growth and retains soil moisture, making it perfect for both sunny front gardens and tricky dry slopes. Its tolerance of light foot traffic makes it an ideal choice for planting between pavers in courtyards or along driveways.

Unlike many traditional ground covers, creeping thyme releases a pleasant fragrance when stepped on, adding an extra sensory dimension to your garden paths. This ground cover also attracts beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies, supporting biodiversity in your outdoor space.

Varieties of Creeping Thyme Ground Cover

Choosing the right creeping thyme variety enhances both aesthetics and function in your landscape. Gardeners looking for a unique touch can explore the white-flowered Thymus praecox Albiflorus (White Creeping Thyme), which offers a delicate contrast to greener foliage and suits minimalist modern gardens.

For a bold display, consider Thymus Ruby Carpet (Creeping Thyme Ruby Carpet) or Thymus praecox Coccineus (Red Creeping Thyme), both of which bring lush magenta and deep red tones to summer ground covers. If you love a velvety, emerald carpet effect, Thymus Emerald Carpet (Thyme Emerald Carpet) delivers compact growth with vivid foliage that stays fresh-looking year-round.

Tips for Planting and Growing Creeping Thyme

To establish a thriving creeping thyme ground cover, pick a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Space out plants roughly 15-20 cm apart to allow the mats to knit together over time. Water deeply after planting, then reduce watering as thyme establishes its drought tolerance. Occasional light pruning helps maintain neatness and encourages denser growth. Feeding is rarely necessary; creeping thyme prefers lean, slightly alkaline soils.

If you’re comparing ground covers, you might also like to consider Myoporum parvifolium (Creeping Myoporum), a resilient native alternative for wetter or coastal locations.

Where to Buy Creeping Thyme Ground Cover in New Zealand

Browse our selection of premium creeping thyme ground cover varieties suited to New Zealand climates. Whether you’re searching for the scented whites, striking reds, or lush greens, explore our range to find the best option for your garden or landscape project. Creeping thyme ground cover isn’t just beautiful and practical—it’s a wonderful way to create lasting, low-maintenance garden interest year after year.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Ficus Tuffi and Coprosma acerosa are tried and true, but new favourites like Hibiscus 'Jeanne D Arc', Hebe 'Flame', and Lemon 'Ponderosa' are just waiting to be discovered.
–The Plant Company

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