How to grow Lemon Thyme

Thymus citriodorus

If it is grown in a container on a window sill it can be used all year round. It will thrive in stony soil and requires little watering once it is established. hyme roots easily from cuttings — you don’t even have to root them in water. Just drop them on the ground, and they will likely root. This also means that thyme will spread and potentially take over the space you give it.

Growing Lemon thyme from seed

Thyme is best started indoors because seeds require warm temperatures to germinate. Thyme is more often started from cuttings or by layering, but can also be grown from seed – although be aware that it tends to hybridise very readily and will thus not tend to grow true to type.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 9.75 inches (25.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.2 inches (0.5 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 21°C / 70°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting Lemon thyme

When seedlings reach a height of around 10cm / 4 inches, place in a sunny sheltered location, and then a week later plant in the garden.

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Lemon thyme is a hardy plant.

Harvesting Lemon thyme

Cut whatever you need!

How long does Lemon thyme take to grow?

These estimates for how long Lemon thyme takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Lemon thyme to germinate?
11 days

Average 11 days | Min 11 days | Max 11 days (1)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Lemon thyme?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Maturity How long until Lemon thyme is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 2 days

Average 2 days | Min 1 days | Max 261 days (7)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Lemon thyme?
= days

Lemon thyme Folklore & Trivia

Thyme was grown in monastery gardens in southern France and in Spain and Italy during the Middle Ages for use as a cough remedy, digestive aid and treatment for intestinal parasites. Ancient Egyptians used thyme in embalming. The ancient Greeks used it in their baths and burnt it as incense in their temples, believing that thyme was a source of courage.

Other names for Lemon thyme

Orange thyme, Silver thyme, Lemon scented thyme,

Thymus x citriodorus

Footnotes

1 About-Growing Thyme


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