Lemon Thyme

Lemon Thyme (Thymus citriodorus) is a low spreading herb that works as hard in the garden bed as it does in the kitchen. It sits at about 25cm tall and spreads to 40cm across, forming a dense aromatic mat that releases a clear lemon and thyme scent when you brush past. It is edible, pet friendly, drought tolerant and content in poor soil.

Why you'll love it

• Pick it and cook with it. The leaves carry a genuine lemon note that suits chicken, fish and roast vegetables, and the plant regrows quickly after cutting.
• Scent underfoot. Along a path edge or between pavers it releases its fragrance when brushed or lightly stepped on.
• Pet friendly. Thyme is not toxic to cats or dogs, so it is safe for a garden where animals wander through the beds.
• It thrives on neglect. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant, frost hardy and happy in poor gravelly soil. The one thing it will not forgive is a wet bed.
• Pink flowers for the bees. In late spring the mat carries pink to purple flowers that bees work over.

Where it works best

Groundcover and path edges. Plant 30cm apart for a continuous mat. The plants close over in one season, which keeps weeds down and softens an edge of gravel or paving.

Rockeries and dry banks. Sharp drainage and reflected heat are what it wants, so a rockery or a sunny retaining wall pocket suits it better than a rich bed.

Pots and small gardens. A pot 200mm or wider holds one plant, and it spills over the rim of a wider bowl. Keep it near the kitchen door so it gets used.

Growing lemon thyme in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, at least six hours, or the growth goes soft and the flavour thins. It is at home in warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid to semi-arid gardens, and it is frost hardy. Be honest about humidity: in a subtropical or tropical garden thyme often rots through a wet summer, so use a pot on a sunny covered verandah instead.

Soil. Free draining and lean. Sandy, gravelly and rocky soils grow the best thyme. On clay, plant into a raised bed and add coarse sand. Use a gravel mulch rather than bark.

Water and feed. Water weekly for the first two months, then only in prolonged dry weather. A light application of complete fertiliser in early spring is plenty, since overfeeding gives lush leaves with weak flavour.

Pruning. Shear the plant back by a third after flowering to keep it dense. Thyme goes woody at the base after three or four years, so replace plants on that cycle.

What to expect when it arrives

Lemon thyme is grown as tube stock. A tube is a small rooted plant, typically 8cm to 15cm across, and for a low herb the small size is no disadvantage: it fills its 40cm space within a season in warm weather. Order enough for the run you want, since 30cm spacing means three plants per metre.

Herbs travel well and arrive compact. Water on arrival, keep the plants in bright light for a few days, then plant into free draining soil. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, under our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to prepare soil before planting
• Browse the full edible plant range
• Compare plants suited to rockeries
• Low maintenance groundcovers

Common questions

How many plants do I need per metre?

At 30cm spacing, about three plants per metre of row. For a solid mat, allow eleven per square metre and expect them to close over within a season.

Can I walk on it?

Light, occasional foot traffic is fine and releases the scent, which is why it suits gaps between pavers. It will not take daily use, so keep it beside the path rather than on it.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. Thyme is not toxic to cats or dogs, so it is a sensible choice for a herb bed a pet has access to.