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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.

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.

Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

5 from 1 customers

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged with cream. This evergreen plant provides year round colour and texture while suppressing weeds and covering bare ground. Naturally tough and adaptable, it thrives in coastal conditions, exposed sites, and light frost. Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is both practical and decorative in NZ gardens and landscapes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, 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
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
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...

From$19.58
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
leptinella-dioica-

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
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...

From$18.23
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...

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
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...

From$19.58
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$20.18
leptinella-pusilla-

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...

From$18.23
Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' plants with fine and elegant, blue foliage.

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter'

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter', commonly known as Pinatoro or the NZ Daphne plant, is a mat-forming, NZ native, ground cover plant. It has small...

From$24.98
pachysandra-terminalis-5

Pachysandra terminalis

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

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
rhaphidophora-decursiva-

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...

From$52.58
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...

From$18.23
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...

From$19.58
coprosma-repens-green-rocks-

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
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
rubus-pentalobus-2

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
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...

From$19.58
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$21.53
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$20.18
pimelea-mimosa--1

Pimelea mimosa

Pimelea mimosa is a mat forming, NZ native, ground covering plant. It has soft, blue-grey leaves which are held on stems that tend to climb over...

From$23.63
Selliera 'Sundrops' plant with variegated yellow and green, fleshy leaves.

Selliera 'Sundrops'

Selliera 'Sundrops' is a tough low growing ground cover valued for its glossy green foliage and cheerful yellow daisy flowers that appear through the...

From$19.58
Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' ground cover shrub with brown stems and leaves.

Coprosma 'Flat Freddy'

Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' is a unique ground covering evergreen shrub valued for its rich chocolate brown foliage and naturally spreading form. Well...

From$21.53
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...

From$18.23
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
Chamaemelum nobile plants with white flowers and lush, green foliage.

Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile)

Chamaemelum nobile, known as Lawn Chamomile or Roman Chamomile, is a fragrant, low-growing perennial herb ideal for lawns, borders, and herbal...

From$22.88
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$33.68
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$20.18
Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

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, Pimelea, Pratia, Rhaphidophora, Rosmarinus, Rubus, Selliera Thymus and Vinca, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Grasses, Groundcover Plants Indoor Plants and Perennials.

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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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.

While Ficus benjamina variegata and Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass) often steal the spotlight, charming plants like Plum Black Doris, Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple), and Platanus orientalis quietly shine in any garden.
–The Plant Company

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