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creeping thyme ground cover nz

Creeping thyme ground cover is fast becoming a favourite among New Zealand gardeners looking for a tough, attractive, and low-maintenance solution for their landscapes. Whether you're tackling bare patches, building pathways, or simply adding vibrant colour to your garden, creeping thyme ground cover NZ varieties offer a combination of adaptability and charm that few other plants can match. These evergreen perennials are renowned for their delicate foliage, aromatic scent, and seasonal bursts of flowers. From sunny lawns to tricky spots between paving stones, creeping thyme ground covers transform any space with their lush carpets and are easy to care for in most Kiwi climates.

Thymus coccineus plants with pink flowers growing between paving stones.

Thymus coccineus

Thymus coccineus, also known as Red Creeping Thyme, is a hardy, low growing perennial groundcover admired for its vibrant magenta red flowers. Flowering profusely in summer, it creates a carpet of colour that attracts bees and pollinators.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 5 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, Tropical
thymus-ruby-carpet--4

Thymus 'Ruby Carpet' (Creeping Thyme)

5 from 1 customers

Thymus 'Ruby Carpet' is a stunning creeping thyme valued for its dense evergreen foliage and masses of rich ruby pink flowers. This low growing perennial forms a colourful carpet that brightens the garden during the flowering season while providing year round texture and fragrance.

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, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
thymus-emerald-carpet--1
Thymus 'Emerald Carpet'

Thymus 'Emerald Carpet' is a popular creeping thyme valued for its dense mat of rich green foliage and excellent groundcover qualities. This...

From$11.95
Thymus citriodorus 'Aurea' with fantastic yellow foliage growing over a wall.
Thymus citriodorus 'Aurea' (Citrus Thyme)

Thymus citriodorus 'Aurea' is a beautiful golden leaved form of Lemon Thyme valued for its fragrant foliage, culinary uses, and ornamental appeal...

From$11.95
thymus-doerfleri-bressingham-pink--3
Thymus 'Bressingham Pink'

Thymus 'Bressingham Pink' is a beautiful low growing evergreen thyme admired for its soft green foliage and masses of bright pink flowers in summer...

From$11.95
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$17.95
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$20.63
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$17.95
black-polythene-1-m-wide-
Black Polythene - 1 m Wide

Black Polythene - 1 m Wide is a practical plastic sheeting option for garden, nursery, and landscaping applications. The black finish helps block...

From$138.40
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$10.95
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...

From$9.95
victory-gold-herbicide-
Victory Gold - 1 Litre

Victory Gold is an herbicide used to control many types of broadleaf weeds in lawns. Susceptible weeds include: cape daisy, catsear, chickweed...

From$186.48
Leptinella 'Platts Black' colourful foliage.
Leptinella 'Platts Black'

Leptinella 'Platts Black', also known as Bachelor Button Plant, is a unique NZ native groundcover admired for its finely divided, feathery foliage...

From$13.95
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$9.95
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) plants in flower with lush green foliage in a border garden.
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium cirratum, commonly known as Rengarenga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It...

From$9.95
Chamaemelum nobile plants with white flowers and lush, green foliage.
Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile)

Chamaemelum nobile (Lawn Chamomile, Roman Chamomile) is a low growing evergreen herb valued for its fragrant feathery foliage, delicate daisy like...

From$15.95
An immaculate Fine Fescue lawn in a modern and formal garden.
Fine Fescue Lawn Seed

Fine Fescue lawn seed is ideal for homeowners seeking a lush, fine-textured lawn that thrives in shaded areas and requires minimal maintenance. This...

From$28.95
rubus-pentalobus-2
Rubus pentalobus (Creeping Raspberry)

Rubus pentalobus is a hardy, low growing groundcover known for its attractive textured foliage, small white flowers, and bright red berries. This...

From$35.81
Disphyma australe pink flowers and fleshy, green leaves.
Disphyma australe (NZ Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe, commonly known as NZ Ice Plant, is a hardy and attractive groundcover valued for its fleshy, bright green foliage and striking...

From$19.50
leptinella-dioica-
Leptinella dioica

Leptinella dioica (Bachelor Button Plant) is a low growing evergreen groundcover valued for its fine fern like foliage and ability to create a dense...

From$13.95
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...

From$17.95
Hedera canariensis variegata green and cream foliage.
Hedera canariensis Variegata

Hedera canariensis ‘Variegata’ is a striking evergreen climber known for its large, glossy green leaves edged with creamy-white variegation. This...

From$14.95
Coprosma acerosa growing on a sand dune.
Coprosma acerosa

Coprosma acerosa, also known as Sand Coprosma or Tātaraheke, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover well-suited to exposed and coastal...

From$7.50
Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.
Carex solandri

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and...

From$11.50
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

From$9.95
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) as a ground cover showing lush foliage and white flowers.
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)

Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a versatile, evergreen climber renowned for its glossy green leaves and masses of highly fragrant white...

From$15.50
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.
Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

From$12.95
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (prostrate Juniper) growing as a tidy ground cover.
Juniperus procumbens Nana (Japanese Dwarf Juniper)

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana', commonly known as the Prostrate Juniper, is a ground-hugging conifer that forms a carpet of blue-green, needle-like...

From$34.43
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Lockwood de Forest' plants trailing over a wall.
Rosmarinus 'Lockwood de Forest' (Creeping Rosemary)

Rosemary 'Lockwood de Forest' is a creeping or prostrate variety of Rosemary that features petite, blue flowers through winter and spring. These are...

From$22.01
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$19.25
Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.
Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is...

From$6.95
Thymus coccineus

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Coprosma, and Muehlenbeckia, or related Categories - Black polythene, Groundcover Plants, and Herbs.

Search creeping thyme ground cover nz

Why Choose Creeping Thyme Ground Cover?

Creeping thyme is not just beautiful—it's practical, too. This hardy ground cover tolerates foot traffic, suppresses weeds, and thrives in a range of soil conditions, making it ideal for New Zealand gardens. Its drought tolerance means less watering, while its low growth habit creates a tidy, easy-care blanket of greenery. Creeping thyme also attracts pollinators, so you'll enjoy bees and butterflies visiting your garden throughout the flowering season. Many varieties are available, each with unique flower colours and growth habits suited to different garden styles and needs.

Popular Creeping Thyme Varieties for NZ

If you're seeking the best creeping thyme ground cover NZ options, consider these standout cultivars:

These varieties are all robust performers across most regions in New Zealand, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.

How to Grow and Use Creeping Thyme in NZ Gardens

Plant creeping thyme ground cover NZ in full sun for best growth and flowering. Prepare the soil so it's free-draining—thyme dislikes wet feet, making it ideal for slopes, rocky areas, and pathway borders. Space plants 20-30cm apart; they'll quickly fill gaps with a dense mat, reducing maintenance and adding visual harmony. Creeping thyme is also popular for edging garden beds, covering embankments, or creating fragrant walkways.

To mix things up, try combining thyme ground covers with other low-growing plants. If you're looking for alternatives, Myoporum parvifolium (Creeping Myoporum) is another hardy option, perfect for challenging spots and adding textural contrast.

Transform Your Landscape with Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme ground cover NZ is the go-to choice for Kiwi gardeners who want easy, beautiful and versatile plantings year-round. With many colourful varieties and minimal maintenance requirements, creeping thyme is a smart investment for practical, picturesque gardens that thrive. Discover your favourite ground cover variety today and enjoy the benefits of this flexible, fragrant perennial.


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