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creeping thyme varieties

Creeping thyme varieties are beloved across New Zealand gardens for their versatility, low-maintenance beauty, and aromatic appeal. With their colourful blooms, delicate foliage, and ground-covering habits, creeping thymes are ideal for filling gaps in garden beds, creating fragrant pathways, or providing pollinator-friendly carpets in both sun and partial shade. Each variety brings unique colour, texture, and fragrance, making it easy to customise your outdoor space. If you’re searching for robust, drought-tolerant ground covers that also withstand foot traffic, exploring the world of creeping thyme varieties is a rewarding place to start.

Mazus pumilio plants with blue and white flowers.

Mazus pumilio

Mazus pumilio, commonly known as Swamp Musk, is a creeping, herbaceous perennial that forms thick patches of green leaves. It typically grows to only 10 cm tall and 50 cm wide and produces single, white and purple flowers during spring. Mazus pumilio is an unusual plant that can be grown in a container, used as a groundcover, planted beside water features, or used to under-plant larger plants.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 5 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn
Tolerances: Wet
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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
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
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
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...

From$19.58
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
Acorus albo variegata foliage variegated green and yellow.

Acorus Albo Variegata (Variegated Sweet Flag)

Acorus Albo Variegata is grown for its attractive, variegated foliage. It features narrow and slender leaves that are cream with a dark green edge...

From$16.13
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
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$153.21
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
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
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$39.18
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$19.58
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
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
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
callisia-bubbles--3

Callisia repens

Callisia repens goes by several common names such as the Bubbles Plant, Turtle Vine, and Pin Panther Plant. The Turtle Vine is a very popular indoor...

From$26.33
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
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
Liriope spicata 'Silver Dragon' plant with variegated foliage.

Liriope 'Silver Dragon'

Liriope 'Silver Dragon', commonly known as Creeping Lilyturf, produces arching, strap-like leaves which are variegated white and green. Short stems...

From$16.13
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rosmarinus prostrata trailing over a bank.

Rosmarinus prostratus (Creeping Rosemary)

Rosmarinus prostratus, commonly called Prostrate Rosemary, is a hardy, low-growing shrub with aromatic green foliage and masses of blue flowers from...

From$20.93
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
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
Mazus pumilio

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Acorus, Callisia, Cerastium, Coprosma, Ficus, Fuchsia, Leptinella, Liriope, Lobelia, Mazus, Muehlenbeckia, Pachysandra, Rosmarinus, Rubus, Thymus Vinca and Viola, or related Categories - Herbicides, Grass Seed, Evergreen Climbers, Grasses, Groundcover Plants Indoor Plants and Perennials.

Search creeping thyme

Popular Creeping Thyme Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

There are many creeping thyme varieties to choose from, each offering their own distinctive flowers and foliage. Some of the most popular options include:

Thymus Ruby Carpet (Creeping Thyme Ruby Carpet)

Thymus Ruby Carpet (Creeping Thyme Ruby Carpet) is a standout for its dense mat of tiny, deep green leaves and stunning pink-mauve flowers. This evergreen perennial is perfect for planting between stepping stones or as a living mulch in sunny locations. Its neat growth habit and brilliant blooms make it one of the most sought-after creeping thyme varieties for both ornamental and practical uses.

Thymus praecox Albiflorus (White Creeping Thyme)

For gardeners who prefer a softer look, Thymus praecox Albiflorus (White Creeping Thyme) offers pure white flowers on a cushiony carpet of foliage. This variety brings brightness to garden edges, rockeries, and paths, and pairs beautifully with coloured thymes for added visual interest.

Thymus praecox Coccineus (Red Creeping Thyme)

Thymus praecox Coccineus (Red Creeping Thyme) is prized for its vibrant magenta-red flowers that appear in abundance during late spring and early summer. This fast-spreading ground cover is ideal for low-maintenance lawns, garden borders, or as a show-stopping accent in mixed perennial plantings.

Thymus serpyllum Coccineus

Another exceptional choice among creeping thyme varieties is Thymus serpyllum Coccineus, known for its compact growth and profuse reddish-purple blooms that attract bees and butterflies. Its hardiness and resilience make it especially suitable for New Zealand’s diverse climates.

Thymus lanuginosus (Woolly Thyme)

Those seeking interesting textures will love Thymus lanuginosus (Woolly Thyme). This variety features silvery, velvety leaves that create a soft, low-growing mat, making it both visually intriguing and comfortable underfoot.

Tips for Growing Creeping Thyme Varieties

All creeping thyme varieties thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, they require minimal watering and are highly resistant to drought, making them perfect for sustainable landscaping. Plant them in cracks, garden borders, pots, or between pavers to maximise both form and function. With so many creeping thyme varieties to explore, you’re sure to find the perfect match for your New Zealand garden.


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