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Thymus x citriodorus - (Pers.)Schreb.

Common Name Lemon Thyme, Creeping Lemon Thyme, Lemon-Scented Thyme
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 5-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known in the wild.
Range A hybrid of garden origin between T. pulegioides and T. vulgaris.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (5 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Thymus x citriodorus Lemon Thyme, Creeping Lemon Thyme, Lemon-Scented  Thyme


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wildfeuer
Thymus x citriodorus Lemon Thyme, Creeping Lemon Thyme, Lemon-Scented  Thyme
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wildfeuer

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Lavender. Main Bloom Time: Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Thymus x citriodorus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. serpyllum citratus. T. serpyllum citriodora.

Plant Habitats

 Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Leaves - raw in salads or added as a flavouring to cooked foods[105, 183]. 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[200]. An aromatic tea is made from the leaves[21]. It has a pleasant lemon-like flavour and is very refreshing[183, 238].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiseptic  Aromatherapy  Deodorant  Disinfectant

The leaves, and especially the essential oil contained in them, are strongly antiseptic, deodorant and disinfectant[200, 238]. 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[238]. 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[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Deodorant  Disinfectant  Essential  Pot-pourri

The essential oil obtained from the leaves and flowering stems is used in perfumery, as a mouth wash, medicinally etc[200]. The aromatic leaves are dried and used in pot-pourri and herbal pillows[238]. The plant makes an attractive ground cover for a sunny position[201]. They are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Ground cover  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Rock garden. Requires a light well-drained preferably calcareous soil in a sunny position[1, 200]. 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[238]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. This is a very difficult genus taxonomically, the species hybridize freely with each other and often intergrade into each other[200]. 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[200]. A good companion for most plants[54]. Special Features:Edible, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Suitable for dried flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

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[200]. 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[200]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[200]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Tomillo,

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Thymus caespititiusCretan ThymeShrub0.1 6-9  LMNDM222
Thymus camphoratusCamphor ThymeShrub0.4 6-9  LMNDM022
Thymus capitatusHeaded Savory, ThymusShrub0.3 6-9  LMNDM222
Thymus cilicicusCilician ThymeShrub0.2 6-9  LMNDM122
Thymus herba-baronaCaraway ThymeShrub0.1 8-10 SLMNDM324
Thymus hirtus Shrub0.0 -  LMNDM222
Thymus mastichinaMastic ThymeShrub0.3 6-9  LMNDM222
Thymus pannonicusEurasian thymePerennial0.2 4-8  LMNDM222
Thymus praecoxMother of thyme, Creeping thyme, Woolly ThymeShrub0.1 5-8 MLMNDM223
Thymus praecox arcticusWild ThymeShrub0.1 4-8  LMNDM325
Thymus pseudolanuginosusWoolly ThymeShrub0.1 3-9 MLMNDM222
Thymus pulegioidesBroad-Leaved Thyme, lemon thymeShrub0.2 4-8  LMNDM222
Thymus quinquecostatus Shrub0.1 4-8  LMNDM222
Thymus serpyllumWild ThymeShrub0.1 5-9 MLMNDM435
Thymus vulgarisCommon Thyme, Garden thyme, Wild ThymeShrub0.2 5-11 MLMNDM435
Thymus zygis Shrub0.3 6-9  LMNDM222

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Pers.)Schreb.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

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