A Simple Guide to Growing and Caring for Lemon Thyme
Lemon thyme is one of the most famous Mediterranean herbs. It has been used to treat various diseases and conditions for centuries. It was once believed to be a hybrid between Thymus vulgaris and Thymus pulegiodes. However, after undergoing a DNA analysis, it was revealed that it needed its own classification since it is its own species. At present, lemon thyme is classified as Thymus citriodorus.
This aromatic herb has an aesthetic appeal and function in garden design that are incomparable to others of its kind, making it worthwhile to plant in your home. By using lemon thyme in your garden, you can bring interest and appeal in many ways. Lemon thyme functions well as a border plant in a rock garden and has been proven to thrive in those conditions. In terms of xeriscape, thyme is excellent since it gives a pop of color when it blooms. As a cultivator, you can add yellow and lime green into the mix too.
An Essential Guide to Caring for Lemon Thyme
Lemon thyme can be considered an olfactory delight. It works well for medicinal, culinary, and ornamental purposes. It can also grow in a fixed area in your landscape or a container.
When caring for a lemon thyme herb, you need to give it some water, plenty of sunshine, and nice warm weather. Doing so will result in many fresh lemony leaves that will last from spring until the first frost. Lemon thyme can even be grown indoors as long as you have bright light.
Light
Lemon thyme will thrive in locations with a lot of sunlight. It can tolerate some shade, but it will not grow as it should otherwise. When exposed to the sun, it will give its best foliage and aroma. If your home doesn’t get as much sunlight, you can keep your lemon thyme in a container and place it on a sunny windowsill.
Soil
When you’re considering the best soil condition for your lemon thyme, you need to think of the native conditions where it originally lived. Lemon thyme originally grows in sandy, dry, rocky limestone mountainsides in the Mediterranean. This environment makes the soil perfectly dry and rich in alkaline, which are necessary for a lemon thyme herb to thrive.
Water
Lemon thyme is relatively low-maintenance in terms of watering. This herb prefers dry conditions, so watering it every few weeks is perfectly fine. Make sure to check if the soil is dry to the touch. If it is, then you can water it until it’s drenched.
Temperature and Humidity
Lemon thyme loves warm and dry weather, which is why it thrives the most during summer. When warm days roll in, you will see its lilac flowers blooming. You can also benefit from the lemony essential oils produced and released by the warm air. Once the cooler months come, the lemon thyme will become dormant but can remain green throughout the year.
Fertilizer
It is not ideal for treating herbs, including lemon thyme, with fertilizer. If you want to encourage vigorous growth, you can consider adding organic compost instead.
Conclusion
Growing your herbs allows you to have your own supply when you need them. Lemon thyme, in particular, is an excellent plant that can be used for cooking and medicinal purposes. It is also a great ornamental piece. If you want to add this herb to your garden, we can help you out.
Blossom & Broom teaches homemakers about home and garden aesthetics. We can educate you about edible landscape plants and other garden ideas. Our team will also be glad to teach you how to grow your own food. For inquiries, contact us today.
