Botanical profile

Lemon thyme

Latin name
Lemon-scented thyme
Common name
Lemon thyme
Type
Perennial
Family
Lamiaceae

Lemon thyme is a perennial herb much appreciated for its small, fragrant foliage, which combines the warm flavor of thyme with a fresh, lemony note. Its bright aroma is perfect for flavoring fish, poultry, grilled vegetables, potatoes, marinades, sauces, vinaigrettes, soups, savory infusions, and summer recipes. Compact and decorative, it integrates very well into herb gardens, rock gardens, edible borders, patio pots, and containers near the kitchen.

Easy to grow, lemon thyme prefers a full sun, warm, well-ventilated location, in light, poor to moderately fertile, and very well-drained soil. It tolerates dry conditions very well once established but does not tolerate excess water and heavy soils. In pots as well as in the ground, regular harvesting of young stems helps keep the plant compact, dense, and well-branched, while stimulating the production of new aromatic foliage.

Both flavorful, decorative, and useful for pollinators, lemon thyme produces delicate blossoms that attract bees and other beneficial insects to the garden. Its fresh fragrance pairs very well with rosemary, sage, oregano, lavender, santolina, and other full-sun plants. It is an excellent herb for gardeners looking for a robust, fragrant, drought-resistant plant perfect for adding a lemony touch to homemade recipes.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Aromatic, decorative and edible citrus foliage
Vegetable garden, herbs, border, rock garden, container, Mediterranean cuisine, herbal tea
Container growing
Excellent container plant in a well-drained pot
Seasonal care
Lightly prune after flowering to maintain a dense shape; avoid soggy soils; harvest young shoots as needed
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Zone 5 and above
Exposure
Full sun
Watering
Moderate; allow the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings
Humidity
Low to medium humidity; prefers dry, well-drained soils
Fertilization
Light composting in spring; avoid excessive fertilizer
Soil type
Light, poor to average, dry, and very well-drained soil
Soil pH
Neutral to slightly alkaline
Minimum temperature
-30°C
Propagation method
Cuttings or division
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer
Flower color
Pale pink to mauve
Foliage color
Green variegated with yellow depending on the cultivar
Foliage type
Semi-persistent
Shape
Low, compact and bushy habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches)
Width
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Growth rate
Slow to medium growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Rosemary, sage, lavender, oregano
Spacing
25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches)
Harvest period
Spring to Fall Leaves
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Butterflies
Plants that attract butterflies

Butterflies

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

Deer
Less attractive or generally tolerated by deer

Deer

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.