Thymus citriodorus
Lemon thyme
Photo: Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 · Source
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Description
Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) is a low, semi‑shrubby herb with finely scented leaves that give off a lemon aroma even from close range on warm days. The small, often slightly yellow‑tinted leaves grow on creeping to upright stems that produce delicate pink to purple flowers in summer, attracting bees and other insects. As a hardy semi‑shrub, it tolerates mild winters well when kept dry.
Care instructions
Lemon thyme prefers full sun and a well‑drained, somewhat lean soil; it does poorly on heavy, water‑logged soils. Plant it 25–30 cm apart, ideally on a slightly raised bed or between gravel and stones to ensure good drainage. Water sparingly, only when prolonged dryness occurs—excess moisture is more harmful than drought. After flowering, prune the stems (late July to early August) to keep the plant compact and encourage fresh growth. In winter, a light mulch or leaf cover protects it at exposed sites, especially when grown in containers.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lean, lime-loving, dry
Feeding
Light feeder
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