Creeping Thyme vs Morning Glory

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Creeping Thyme

Thymus serpyllum

Lamiaceae · groundcovers

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Morning Glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Convolvulaceae · vines

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Creeping Thyme (Zones 4-8)

Morning Glory (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Creeping Thyme	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Thymus serpyllum	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Lamiaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	groundcovers	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Well-drained
Height	3"	10'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, Purple	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Europe	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Creeping Thyme

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Morning Glory

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Creeping Thyme

✓Needs excellent drainage.
✓Don't over-fertilize — poor soil is fine.
✓Shear after flowering.
✓Plant between stepping stones for a fragrant pathway.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Creeping Thyme if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 4–8.

Choose Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Creeping ThymeProfile →View Morning GloryProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Creeping Thyme and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Creeping Thyme grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Creeping Thyme and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Creeping Thyme needs full sun and low water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Creeping Thyme or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Creeping Thyme at 3". Morning Glory spreads 2' while Creeping Thyme spreads 1' 6".

Are Creeping Thyme and Morning Glory deer resistant?

Yes, both Creeping Thyme and Morning Glory are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Creeping Thyme or Morning Glory?

Both Creeping Thyme and Morning Glory have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Creeping Thyme	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Thymus serpyllum	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Lamiaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	groundcovers	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Well-drained
Height	3"	10'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, Purple	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Europe	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Creeping Thyme

✓Needs excellent drainage.
✓Don't over-fertilize — poor soil is fine.
✓Shear after flowering.
✓Plant between stepping stones for a fragrant pathway.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Creeping Thyme if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 4–8.

Choose Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Creeping Thyme and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Creeping Thyme grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Creeping Thyme and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Creeping Thyme needs full sun and low water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Creeping Thyme or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Creeping Thyme at 3". Morning Glory spreads 2' while Creeping Thyme spreads 1' 6".

Are Creeping Thyme and Morning Glory deer resistant?

Yes, both Creeping Thyme and Morning Glory are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Creeping Thyme or Morning Glory?

Both Creeping Thyme and Morning Glory have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.