Lemon Thyme
Thymus x citriodorus
herbLemon thyme is a low, spreading evergreen perennial that layers a bright lemon scent over the warm, classic thyme flavor. Tidy 6 to 12 inch mounds carry tiny leaves and clouds of pink summer flowers that bees adore, and it doubles as an edging or container herb.
☀️
Sun
full sun
💧
Water
Every 7 days
🌾
Harvest
~90 days
📊
Difficulty
easy
🌱
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
↔️
Spacing
12-18 in. apart
⬇️
Planting Depth
Set transplant at nursery depth
🧪
Soil pH
6.5-8.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Lean, sandy, sharply drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 8
When to Fertilize
Little needed; light spring feed
Fertilizer
Low; lean soil boosts aroma
🌱 Growing Guide
Lemon thyme is easiest from a transplant or cutting, as named lemon thymes do not come true from seed. Plant in full sun in lean, sharply drained, even rocky soil, since rich, wet ground rots it and dilutes the aroma. Water sparingly once established, shear lightly after flowering to keep it compact, and divide every few years.
Planting Calendar
Sign in to personalize →🌿
Direct sow
Apr 29
🌾
Projected first harvest
Jul 28
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Cabbage — Aromatic foliage helps deter cabbage worms and other brassica pests
- Strawberry — A low groundcover thyme protects fruit and draws pollinators
- Lavender — Shares the same lean, sunny, well-drained Mediterranean conditions
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Most likely in hot dry spells; rinse the foliage and avoid drought stress
Plant in sharply drained soil and water sparingly, since wet feet are the main risk
🌾 Harvest & storage
Snip 4 to 6 inch sprigs in the morning after the dew dries, always leaving a few inches so the plant regrows. Flavor is strongest just before flowering; lemon thyme dries and freezes well for winter use.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Lemon thyme carries aromatic thymol and citral oils with antioxidant and antiseptic properties, and its flowers are magnets for honeybees and native bees.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.