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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.

thymus-emerald-carpet--1

Thymus Emerald Carpet (Thyme Emerald Carpet)

Thymus Emerald Carpet, commonly known as Thyme, perennial produces small leaves held on spreading stems that results in a carpet of green foliage. The foliage is adorned with small, pure white flowers in summer as it grows to 5 cm tall and 40 cm wide. Thymus Emerald Carpet is a fantastic plant that is commonly included in herb gardens, planted between pavers or rocks, used as a groundcover, or allowed to trail over paths and steps or from a hanging basket.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 5 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Culinary, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
thymus-ruby-carpet--4

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-gertrude-jekyll-1

Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll

Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll is a variety of the commonly known, Periwinkle, and is an herbaceous perennial often used as a groundcover. It features...

From$19.58
vinca-elizabeth-cran-1

Vinca Elizabeth Cran

Vinca Elizabeth Cran is a variety of the commonly known, Lesser Periwinkle, features small, dark green leaves which are held densely on stems that...

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Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.

Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged...

From$21.53
Coprosma kirkii green foliage held on yellow stems.

Coprosma kirkii

Coprosma kirkii, commonly known as Creeping Coprosma, is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub valued for its dense, trailing habit and small glossy...

From$20.18
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) growing as a topiary hedge.

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) is a vigorous, hardy NZ native climber or groundcover. It features wiry, twining stems and small, glossy green...

From$25.58
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Rhaphidophora decursiva

Rhaphidophora decursiva, commonly known as the Dragon Tail Plant or Philodendron Dragon, is a climber that features lush foliage and often grown as...

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Pachysandra terminalis

Pachysandra terminalis, commonly known as Japanese Spurge, is an herbaceous perennial commonly used as an attractive groundcover, particularly in...

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Muehlenbeckia axillaris growing as a ground cover.

Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

Muehlenbeckia axillaris, commonly known as Creeping Wire Vine, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover with wiry stems and small, dark green...

From$20.18
Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.

Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover admired for its striking purple foliage and creeping...

From$24.23
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Leptinella dioica (Bachelors Buttons)

Leptinella dioica (aka Cotula dioica), commonly known as Bachelors Buttons, is an herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It is a creeping and...

From$18.23
Isotoma fluviatilis plants grow as a ground cover, featuring lush, green foliage and attractive, blue flowers.

Isotoma fluviatilis

Isotoma fluviatilis features small, dark green leaves that give the appearance of a lush, green carpet. The foliage is adorned with masses of small...

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Ficus pumila 'Ice Caps' plant with trailling variegated foliage.

Ficus 'Ice Caps'

Ficus 'Ice Caps' is a variety of Creeping Fig that features variegated leaves. It carries small, heart-shaped leaves which are light green with a...

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

Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig)

Ficus pumila, commonly known as Creeping Fig or Climbing Ficus, is a vigorous, evergreen climber popular in New Zealand for covering walls, fences...

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Liriope spicata plants with pink-blue flowers in a garden.

Liriope spicata (Creeping Lilyturf)

Liriope spicata, commonly known as Creeping Lily Turf, grows as a clump and produces arching, strap-like, dark green leaves. Short stems carrying...

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Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons)

Leptinella pusilla, commonly known as the Purple Brass Buttons plant, is an herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It is a creeping and somewhat...

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Rubus pentalobus (Creeping Raspberry)

Commonly known as Creeping Raspberry, this is a low-growing herbaceous perennial favoured for its foliage and form. It produces masses of richly...

From$35.03
Cerastium tomentosum ground cover with grey foliage and elegant white flowers.

Cerastium tomentosum

Cerastium tomentosum is an herbaceous perennial featuring tiny, white, star shaped flowers through spring and summer. These are complemented with...

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Viola hederacea plants with blue flowers and lush, green foliage bordering a path.

Viola hederacea (Australian Violet)

Viola hederacea is a ground-covering plant that features lush foliage and pretty flowers. This Australian Violet produces green leaves that are held...

From$22.88
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...

From$18.83
Pratia angulata (Panakenake) plants growing as a dense ground cover with lush green leaves and pretty, white flowers.

Pratia angulata

Pratia angulata, commonly known as Panakenake, is a fast-growing, NZ native ground cover plant. It has small, rounded, green leaves that are held...

From$19.58
Fuchsia procumbens plant growing across the ground with green foliage and yellow-green flowers.

Fuchsia procumbens (Creeping Fuchsia)

Fuchsia procumbens, commonly known as Creeping Fuchsia, is a low-growing, NZ native plant valued for its unique yellow-red flowers and ornamental...

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Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler' plant with pink flowers.

Grevillea Bronze Rambler (Groundcover Grevillea)

Grevillea Bronze Rambler, commonly known as Spider Flower, is a colourful, prostrate shrub grown for its foliage and flowers. The flowers produced...

From$28.28
Hedera canariensis growing on a wall with green foliage.

Hedera canariensis

Hedera canariensis, commonly known as Canary Island Ivy, is a vigorous evergreen climber valued for its large, glossy green leaves and rapid growth...

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Cerastium 'Snow in summer' grey foliage and elegant white flowers.

Cerastium 'Snow in Summer'

Cerastium Snow in Summer is an herbaceous perennial featuring both impressive flowering and foliage. The plants are lavished with tiny, white, star...

From$20.93
Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' plants with elegant blue flowers and lush green leaves growing as a ground cover.

Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty'

Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' (Carpet Bugle) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy green leaves flushed with bronze and its...

From$18.23
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Coprosma Green Rocks (Mirror Bush)

Coprosma Green Rocks, commonly known as Mirror Bush, is a NZ native shrub that carries glossy green leaves on spreading stems. This evergreen...

From$24.98
Lobelia angulata plant with green foliage and elegant white flowers.

Lobelia angulata (Panakenake)

Lobelia angulata is a charming NZ native groundcover admired for its small, bright green leaves and delicate white star shaped flowers that bloom...

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Grevillea Gaudichaudii (Grevillea x gaudichaudii)

Grevillea Gaudichaudii, commonly known as Spider Flower, is a hardy and attractive groundcover plant. Attractive, dark green and purple tinted...

From$28.28
Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' plants with variegated foliage and blue flowers.

Ajuga reptans variegata

Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' is a quick-growing, ground-covering plant that features colourful leaves that are variegated green and cream. In spring, it...

From$17.48
Ajuga 'Port Wine' plant in a pot for sale at The Plant Company.

Ajuga 'Port Wine'

Ajuga 'Port Wine' brings deep wine coloured foliage and vivid blue flower spikes to NZ gardens, creating a rich tapestry of colour in shaded and semi...

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Thymus Emerald Carpet (Thyme Emerald Carpet)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Ajuga, Cerastium, Coprosma, Ficus, Fuchsia, Grevillea, Hedera, Isotoma, Leptinella, Liriope, Lobelia, Muehlenbeckia, Pachysandra, Pratia, Rhaphidophora, Rubus, Thymus Vinca and Viola, 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.

–The Plant Company

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