Species lemon thyme
yellow-green leaves and green stems

lemon thyme

Thymus citriodorus 'Silver Queen'

Lemon thyme is a fragrant herb with a robust flavor. It is a perennial and is a type of Thymus citriodorus. Its characteristic grey-green leaves with yellowish variegation, set against a dense mound of oblong foliage, makes it an attractive addition to the garden. Its main feature is its strong aroma which is a blend of lemon, mint, and anise. It works well as a culinary herb, in teas, and can also be used as a garnish or in cakes and jellies. Lemon thyme is easy to grow and very hardy, making it the perfect addition to any herb garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation,Stem Propagation,Root Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Pale lilac Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

silver,green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus 'Silver Queen') should be watered frequently, but lightly. Water this plant deeply, allowing the soil to be completely moist but not soggy. During the summer months lemon thyme should be watered about 1-2 times per week, and during the winter only when the soil is completely dry. For best results, check the soil dampness before watering and only water if it's entirely dry. After each watering, allow the soil to drain.

sunlight

Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus 'Silver Queen') prefers full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day for best growth. However, it can tolerate light shade in warmer climates and may require some afternoon shade in hotter parts of its native range (southern Europe and North Africa). It can also tolerate a brief morning sun as well as longer periods of indirect sunlight. When grown indoors, the plant should be placed near a south-facing window to receive the maximum amount of sunlight.

pruning

Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus 'Silver Queen') should be pruned lightly every spring to encourage new growth and improve air circulation. Pruning should be done before flowering begins and it is best to only prune lightly, removing no more than 1-third of the stem length. Pruning the plant too drastically will reduce its growth over time. It is also important to clean pruning tools between plants to avoid spreading diseases.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Lemon thyme typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Lemon thyme typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map