Practical
Plants

Thymus x citriodorus

Lemon Thyme

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Thymus genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Thymus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.1 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw in salads or added as a flavouring to cooked foods[2][3]. A delicious lemon flavour[K]. If the leaves are to be dried, the plants should be harvested in early and late summer just before the flowers open and the leaves should be dried quickly[4]. An aromatic tea is made from the leaves[7]. It has a pleasant lemon-like flavour and is very refreshing[3][8].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves, and especially the essential oil contained in them, are strongly antiseptic, deodorant and disinfectant[4][8]. The plant can be used fresh at any time of the year, or it can be harvested as it comes into flower and either be distilled for the oil or dried for later use[8]. The leaves contain an antioxidant and regular use of the raw leaves has been shown to increase average life expectancy by about 10%. The essential oil obtained from this plant is thought to be less irritant than other thyme oils and so it is used in aromatherapy to treat asthma and other respiratory complaints, especially in children[8].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Aromatherapy
Product or use
Deodorant
Product or use
Disinfectant

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The essential oil obtained from the leaves and flowering stems is used in perfumery, as a mouth wash, medicinally etc[4]. The aromatic leaves are dried and used in pot-pourri and herbal pillows[8]. The plant makes an attractive ground cover for a sunny position[5]. They are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[6].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Pot-pourri

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
A hybrid of garden origin between T. pulegioides and T. vulgaris.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Seed can also be sown in autumn in a greenhouse. Surface sow or barely cover the seed. Germination can be erratic. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. This species is a hybrid and will not breed true from seed. Division in spring or autumn[4]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Cuttings of young shoots, 5 - 8cm with a heel, May/June in a frame[4]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[4]. Layering.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a light well-drained preferably calcareous soil in a sunny position[1][4]. Succeeds in dry soils. Thymes dislike wet conditions, especially in the winter. A layer of gravel on the soil around them will help protect the foliage from wet soils[8]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[4]. This is a very difficult genus taxonomically, the species hybridize freely with each other and often intergrade into each other[4]. Often cultivated in the herb garden for its leaves, there are some named varieties. The flowers are rich in nectar and are very attractive to honey bees[4]. A good companion for most plants[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  5. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

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  6. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  7. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

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