Growing lemon thyme plants (Thymus x citriodus) are a lovely addition to an herb garden, rock garden, border, or as container plants. A popular herb grown not only for its culinary uses but for its attractive foliage, lemon thyme plants can be planted to form a groundcover or among pavers along a path or patio. The tiny flowers are a bee attractor, aiding in the pollination of surrounding plants.
I. Appearance and CharacteristicsÂ
Thymus citriodorus, the lemon thyme or citrus thyme, is a lemon-scented evergreen mat-forming perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. There has been a great amount of confusion over the plant’s correct name and origin.
Thymus citriodorus has had many different names over time, including Thymus × citriodorus, Thymus fragrantissimus, Thymus serpyllum citratus, Thymus serpyllum citriodorum, and more. It was also believed at one time that the plant was a hybrid of European garden origin, between Thymus pulegioides and Thymus vulgaris. DNA analysis has shown that T. citriodorus is not part of the DNA tree that includes T. pulegioides and T. vulgaris. Still, in a different study, the authors analyzed different Thymus species using molecular characterization with inter-simple sequence repeat markers and clustered together T. vulgaris and T. citriodorus. The hybrid status is also repeatedly presented by the scientific community, accepted by the nursery trade, and by the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens, London UK, that accepts and adopts the hybrid status.
There is also no unanimity regarding its origin, as some authors say that Thymus citriodorus has no natural distribution, while others refer to it as native to Southern Europe and that it is widely cultivated in the Mediterranean region.
T. citriodorus is an evergreen sub-shrub, growing to 0.1 metres (3.9 in) in height by 0.3 metres (12 in) in spread. It prefers full sun and well draining soil. The bloom period is mid to late summer, with pink to lavender flowers that are a nectar source for bees and butterflies.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Lemon thyme demands bright sunny locations that recall its origins. It will tolerate some shade, but it will never thrive and give its best foliage or aroma in anything but the full sun. If your yard lacks a location that gets full sun, lemon thyme grows wonderfully in containers and can be kept on a sunny window sill.Â
Watering
Watering lemon thyme is a low-maintenance affair. Lemon thyme prefers dry conditions, so watering it weekly or even every few weeks is fine. Once the soil is truly dry to the touch, water the soil until it’s drenched.
Temperature and Humidity
Lemon thyme thrives in warm, dry weather, so it reaches its peak performance during the summer. This is when you will see the lovely lilac flowers bloom, as well as reap the benefit of the volatile lemony essential oils released by the warm air. It will go dormant during the cooler months but may remain green throughout the year in all but the coldest climates.
Soil
When thinking of ideal soil conditions for lemon thyme, consider the native conditions of where it originally lived. In thyme’s case, this would be the dry, sandy, rocky limestone mountain sides of the Mediterranean. This environment creates the perfect dry, alkaline soil needed for growing lemon thyme. While these conditions are ideal, lemon thyme and many Mediterranean herbs will grow in almost any soil condition since they are adapted to growing in rocky, infertile soil.
Fertilizing
Treating herbs, not just lemon thyme, with fertilizer is often a bad idea. A great way to be proactive and encourage vigorous growth is to add some organic compost when planting.
Propagation
Once you have an established plant, you can easily propagate thyme. Cutting is a common propagation method.
- Cut a stem section 4 inches in length with sterile scissors or snips just below the leaf node.
- Remove the leaves below the node, then submerge the stem of the cutting in distilled water. Put the cuttings in a place that gets plenty of light.
- Within a few weeks, the plant’s roots will have begun developing. Let a good root system develop, then transplant it into a pot to grow further.
- Alternatively, you can dip cuttings in a rooting hormone and push the cutting into seed starting soil. Keep the soil moist and within a few weeks the plant’s roots will have begun to develop.
Potting and Repotting
If you plan to propagate thyme or want to grow thyme in a container rather than in the garden, having a great potting mix is essential. Start with a base of three parts seed mix, two parts compost, one part vermiculite, and one part topsoil. This mix will give you the suitable organics, draining, aeration, moisture retention, and texture for your herb to be happy.
Growing From Seed
Growing lemon thyme from seed is possible, but it is often slow to germinate.
- In a seed starting tray filled with seed starting medium, place two to three seeds per cell. Keep the medium consistently moist. A domed cover will help you keep the seeds warm and the soil moist and warm. Put the trays in a bright window or under a grow light on a heating mat.
- When your seeds have germinated, remove the dome and place a small fan beside the tray to allow indirect air to flow over the seedlings at all times. The constant pressure from the air creates more robust plants and root systems.Â
- When your plants reach a height of three inches or so, move them into pots to allow them to mature a little before planting outdoors.
- Harden off the seedlings before you take them outside after the first frost.
III. Uses and BenefitsÂ
Thymus citriodorus and its cultivars are grown as ornamentals, culinary herbs, and medicinal plants. In landscaping, the plants are often used as ground covers or for planting in beds, between stepping stones, and in containers. In xeriscaping it is useful in hot, arid regions. The plant is drought-tolerant once established. As nectar-producing plants, they are cultivated in bee and butterfly gardens.
The leaves are eaten raw in salads or used as a fresh or dried flavoring herb in cooking and for herbal teas. Other uses include essential oil, folk remedies, antiseptics, respiratory aids, aromatherapy, deodorants, perfumes, skincare and cosmetics.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
The strong lemon aroma of lemon thyme plants is at its apex just before the flowering of its tiny purple blooms. Lemon thyme’s flavor is at its peak, just as that of all herbs, in the morning when the essential oils of the plant are most abundant. Therefore, harvesting lemon thyme is best during the early morning hours of the day to reap maximum flavor. That said, any time you trim back or prune lemon thyme is a good time to use these aromatic leaves. The oils of lemon thyme plants also make an excellent mosquito repellent when crushed; useful when outside in the evening puttering in the garden. Lemon thyme is best used fresh. Chop lemon thyme leaves just before use and add at the very end of the cooking process, before they lose flavor and color. Lemon thyme may be added to poultry, seafood, vegetable, marinades, stews, soups, sauces, and stuffing while fresh sprigs of this herb make a lovely garnish. A beautiful varietal, golden lemon thyme adds a nice touch in the garden with its yellow-gold variegated foliage, although it has a less intense lemon scent than its green counterpart.
