Thymus citriodorus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Thymus × citriodorus
- Thymus fragrantissimus,
- Thymus serpyllum citratus
- Description
-
Lemon thyme is an herb in the mint family possibly native to Europe. It has had several name changes and at one time was thought to be a hybrid. DNA testing has now determined it to be a distinct species. Genus name comes from the Greek word thymos and the species name means lemon-scented.
This evergreen subshrub mounds to 6-12 inches high and can spread to 1 foot wide. It is grown as a garden plant, as a culinary herb and is also used in herbal medicine. The tubular pink flowers attract pollinators and the green leaves have a nice lemony scent and are edible. It is deer, rabbit, drought and heat tolerant.
Lemon thyme prefers well-drained sandy or rocky soil in full to partial sun. Use this plant as a ground cover, in rock gardens, in the front of the border, in an edible garden or in containers.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Root rot will occur in too-moist soils.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Archers Gold'
Variegated leaves - 'Doone Valley'
Leaves tipped in gold in fall and winter - 'Silver Queen'
Silver colored leaves and lemon fragrance - 'Variegata'
Leaves variegated
- 'Archers Gold'
- 'Archers Gold', 'Doone Valley', 'Silver Queen', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Archers Gold'
Variegated leaves - 'Doone Valley'
Leaves tipped in gold in fall and winter - 'Silver Queen'
Silver colored leaves and lemon fragrance - 'Variegata'
Leaves variegated
- 'Archers Gold'
- 'Archers Gold', 'Doone Valley', 'Silver Queen', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Thymus
- Species:
- citriodorus
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in herbal medicine and aroma therapies
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar attracts pollinators
- Edibility:
- Leaves and flowers can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in various dishes
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small tubular pink flowers in terminal whorls appear in mid-summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Small ovate leaves are evergreen and aromatic. Some may be edged in cream color
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green branching stems
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
