When to Plant Creeping Thyme Indoors

Timing

• Although you can buy creeping thyme transplants from nurseries and garden centers, starting your own from seed is economical and just as rewarding. Seed germination can take from two to three weeks, and to give the herb an early start, the seeds are best sown indoors where you can expose them to ideal germination conditions. Count back about six weeks from the average last spring frost date in your area and start the seeds around this time.

Starting the Seeds

• To start creeping thyme indoors, sow the seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch in a seed-starting flat that's filled up to a 1/2 inch from the top with moist seed-starting mix. Cover the flat with a piece of plastic wrap and place it in an area at about 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the medium regularly throughout the germination period and spray it with water to keep it moist the entire time.

Transplanting

• After the last spring frost date, transplant creeping thyme outside or in individual containers. Outdoors, provide creeping thyme with a sunny area and well-drained soil with a pH range between 5.5 and 7.0. Space the plants at least 6 inches apart. Growing creeping thyme in a container allows you to control its spreading habit and enables you to move it indoors near a sunny window during winter. Fill each container with potting soil and mix in a handful of sterile sand to promote drainage.

Considerations

• Creeping thyme requires minimal care to thrive. It grows best in dry soil with a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The first six weeks after transplanting, water regularly so the plant can establish itself. After this, water sparingly, because too much water and lingering water can trigger mold growth on the stems and leaves and cause the plant to rot. After they flower, cut the plants back to about 2 inches to promote new growth.