Pruning Creeping thyme

Creeping thyme requires minimal pruning, but a light trim twice a year keeps plants compact, encourages fresh growth, and prevents them becoming woody and sparse in the centre. Prune in March, just as new growth begins, and again in August after the main flowering flush has finished. In March, use garden shears or hand shears to trim back the previous year's growth by about one-third. This removes any winter-damaged or straggly stems and stimulates vigorous new shoots from the base. Work across the whole mat, cutting just above where you can see green buds emerging on the stems. Avoid cutting back into completely bare, woody growth, as thyme is reluctant to regenerate from old wood. The August prune is equally important. Once flowering has finished and the blooms have faded, shear over the plants again to remove spent flower heads and leggy growth. This tidies the appearance, prevents self-seeding (which can lead to weak seedlings), and encourages a second, smaller flush of flowers in mild autumns. It also helps maintain the dense, cushion-like habit that makes creeping thyme so attractive as ground cover. Use clean, sharp shears to make the job quick and to avoid tearing the stems. If you have a large area, hedge shears or even a strimmer on a high setting can work, though take care not to scalp the plants. Rake off the clippings—they're wonderfully aromatic and can be composted or dried for culinary use. Regular trimming prolongs the life of your thyme and keeps it looking neat and healthy for many years.