Creeping thyme is a hardy perennial widely used as a trailing ground cover in aromatic landscapes. | Creeping thyme plants are slow growing hardy perennials in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. It thrives in full sun or part shade and is tolerant of rocky soils and deer. | In early summer, red creeping thyme covers your garden floor in a sea of magenta or lavender red. | The plant is densely covered with small, dark green, glossy leaves that are highly aromatic when crushed. | Growth Rate - The creeping thyme plant is a low, usually creeping subshrub growing to 2 cm tall with stolons up to 10 cm long.