Can creeping thyme be used for cooking?
Welcome to this post that will talk about some of the pros and cons that are with growing creeping thyme at home. In our opinion, which of the more useful ground covers to have. As it both can be used for cooking actually as well as smelling very nicely. .
How do you propagate creeping thyme?
You can propagate creeping thyme via three methods: division, stem cuttings, and seeds. The best time to do division or cuttings is in the late spring or early summer. Before you get started, you will need a sterilized sharp knife or spade. If you are planting into a new container, make sure the pot is clean and has well-draining soil.
Can you cook with thyme plants?
For cooking, keep your plants close at hand. Thyme grows well indoors in a south-facing window and outdoors in gardens, borders, hanging baskets and containers. Some thyme plants make good groundcovers, and you can walk on creeping thyme, but you may not want to use plants grown in a pathway for cooking.
Is creeping thyme poisonous?
Pick the Right Grass “The creeping thyme does well as a dog-friendly ground cover. Irish Moss, Labrador Violet, Miniature Stonecrop (although invasive, so be careful where you plant it) as well as snow in summer are rather dog-abuse-tolerant and are non-toxic.”May 23, 2017
Can you use red creeping thyme in cooking?
What is commonly known as creeping thyme refers to one of several woody-stemmed perennial species of the Thymus genus that are good ground covers for sunny areas. While not all types are specifically grown as herbs, they do have a pleasant scent and most can be used for culinary purposes.Jan 22, 2020
What type of thyme is best for cooking?
There are only about half a dozen considered suitable for cooking. Out of this group, I find four to be most useful: French thyme, lemon thyme, oregano-scented thyme, and caraway thyme. French thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is the one that most people know. The plant grows into an upright bush 12 in. to 18 in.
Is creeping thyme the same as thyme?
The basic difference between them is that some are grown for culinary use and others are used primarily in landscaping. Both types are edible, but creeping thymes are usually small and tedious to harvest and are therefore more valuable as ground covers.
Is pink creeping thyme edible?
Just like other thyme varieties, creeping thyme is edible with a flavor and aroma akin to mint when crushed or steeped for teas or tinctures. To harvest creeping thyme ground cover, either remove the leaves from the stems or dry them by snipping from the plant and hanging them upside down in a dark, well-aerated area.Jun 12, 2021
What is creeping thyme good for?
praecox helps to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and prevent erosion. In a garden setting, this species looks best planted in a walkway, in between stepping stones or pavers, as creeping thyme is tolerant of moderate foot traffic and releases a pleasant aroma when its leaves are lightly crushed.Apr 18, 2021
Is all garden thyme edible?
All thymes (and there are over 350 species in the genus Thymus) are edible and this includes varieties usually thought of as ornamental or medicinal. However, some are more popular in cooking than others.Aug 3, 2021
Can thyme be used as ground cover?
Thymes are versatile, colorful, and fragrant plants, offering masses of delicate, starlike flowers. Tuck a thyme into a dry wall, stone walkway, or rock garden. Use it as a ground cover or as an edging for a perennial border. These hardy little plants add swaths of color and fragrance in unexpected places.
Can you use garden thyme for cooking?
Thymus vulgaris, also known as common thyme or garden thyme, has striking purple flowers and grows into a spreading carpet. It's ideal for filling in crevices in rock gardens and gaps in patios. The leaves have a strong aroma and are useful in stews, soups and with meat and fish dishes.Mar 14, 2019
Is creeping thyme toxic to dogs?
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and creeping or wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) are drought-tolerant evergreens that are safe for dogs and bloom in the spring and early summer.
Does creeping thyme repel mosquitoes?
Thyme. Thyme, including red creeping thyme (shown), possesses excellent mosquito-repelling properties. The secret is to crush the leaves to release the volatile oils. You can simply place crushed stems around outdoor seating areas or rub the leaves on skin or clothing.Jul 24, 2020
Is creeping thyme a herb?
These low growing, perennial herb plants fill in over time to make a scented herbal carpet. Use as a verdant ground cover, between stepping stones or rock crevices, and to edge garden beds.
Choose From Several Different Types
David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. He was in the nursery business for over a decade, working with a large variety of plants. David has been interviewed by numerous newspapers and national U.S. magazines, such as Woman's World and American Way.
Creeping Thyme Care
Creeping thyme plants grow best in soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH, and this plant requires well-drained soil. Creeping thyme seems to crave poor soils, as do most herb plants. Grow them in full sun, although they will tolerate some shade.
Pruning
Prune back creeping thyme vines in the early spring to prepare the plant for the growing season ahead. Prune again after the flowers die back, usually by the end of summer. In late fall, after the first frost, prune the leggiest, woodiest stems by half. This pruning encourages vigorous, young growth in the spring.
Propagating Creeping Thyme
Thyme is a prolific grower; it self-seeds and likes to spread. Dividing thyme and taking stem cuttings gives your older plant a new lease on life, encouraging new growth. You can propagate creeping thyme via three methods: division, stem cuttings, and seeds. The best time to do division or cuttings is in the late spring or early summer.
How to Grow Creeping Thyme From Seed
You can start thyme from seed indoors in a small growing tray before the final frost using a quality seed starting soil. Plant seeds on the surface of the soil with a light covering of soil. These seeds need light to germinate. Keep the water evenly moist in a warm, bright spot about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Potting and Repotting Creeping Thyme
If you are transplanting thyme, give them room to spread with only one plant per pot. If you have containers that are several feet long, you can plant them about 1 foot apart. The best containers are porous—such as clay or terra cotta—but any container will do as long as its got ample drainage holes.
Overwintering
In zones where winters are cold, thyme is semi-evergreen, which means it will remain mostly green and keep its leaves, but may die back some, and some branches may die. The best way to protect plants in lower USDA zones like 5 and under is by giving them a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch after the cold weather has set in.
Is Creeping Thyme Edible?
The creeping thyme is one of the edible ground cover plants popular among gardeners. This herb varies significantly in its culinary usefulness. Their scent and their flavors change with the seasons and the climate of where it grows.
Creeping Thyme Varieties
Before you get creeping thyme for planting from your local nursery, it’s best to know what type of creeping thyme to plant. Let’s dive right in and learn about a variety of creeping thymes.
Conclusion – Is Creeping Thyme Edible?
Like any other thyme variety, the creeping thyme is edible with an aroma and flavor like mint when steeped for teas or tinctures or crushed. To harvest creeping thyme ground cover, remove the leaves from the stems by snipping from the plant and hanging them upside down in a dark, well-aerated place.
Popular Uses of Elfin Thyme
As already mentioned, creeping thyme has become a popular choice for fairy gardens like the one shown here from the inspired room. The two species of thyme most often referred to as Elfin Thyme are Thymus serpyllum and Thymus praecox.
Growing Creeping Thyme
All of the species of thyme currently being sold as creeping or elfin thyme require similar soil conditions. They prefer dry to medium, well-drained soil. All thyme tends to rot in moist or wet soil particularly during the winter months. (Actually, the leaves will all turn black and the plant will die a slow and lingering death if you over-water.
Creeping Thyme Varieties
While the plants being sold as creeping thyme or elfin thyme are quite similar in growth habit and produce lovely little flowers, it might be helpful to know which is which before investing in one or more of these charming herbal plants.
Dividing Creeping Thyme
The best time of year to divide creeping thyme is in the cooler spring months. (Fall division is not recommended.) Creeping thyme grows out from the central root system and where the new branches touch the ground, they often will root.
Growing Creeping Thyme Indoors
Amongst all of the sources I reviewed, no one mentioned how well these plants grow indoors. It would seem a number of the different species of creeping thyme would be perfect for Fairy and Elfin Gardens designed for indoor use. The problem is that these plants originated in the Mediterranean and require large amounts of natural light.
More Info on Thyme
When most gardeners discuss thyme, they are generally talking about thymus vulgaris a plant that grows about 12 inches tall.
Culinary Types
The species Thymus vulgaris is often referred to as common thyme and includes summer, winter and French thymes. Thymol is the active ingredient and component of the essential oil that gives the herb its flavor. Neral and geranial give lemon thyme (T. x citriodorus) its citrus aroma.
Uses
Use culinary thyme fresh or dried, as a garnish and to flavor vinegars, herbed butters, teas, meat dishes, salads and soups. Thyme is one of the ingredients in the herbes de Provence blend used in classical French cooking. Culinary thyme may also serve as an ornamental.
Conditions
Thyme is a Mediterranean herb that prefers hot, dry conditions, but can survive in areas with mild winters. Thyme grows throughout all of the Sunset Climate Zones of San Francisco and its surrounding counties.
