Lemon Thyme

Lemon Thyme, Thymus x citriodorus, is a hybrid thyme grown for its bright lemon fragrance layered over a warm thyme base. It is one of the most popular culinary thymes for fish, poultry, vegetables, marinades, and teas, where the citrus note adds a fresh lift. The plant is a compact evergreen subshrub 6 to 12 inches tall with small glossy green oval leaves and a spreading, mounding habit, bearing pale pink to lilac flowers that bees love. Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil like other thymes and tolerates drought once established. Because it is a hybrid, Lemon Thyme is propagated from cuttings or division rather than seed to preserve its distinctive lemon scent, which can weaken in seed-grown plants. It is a garden and kitchen favorite for its aroma.