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Thymus pulegioides - L.

Common Name Broad-Leaved Thyme, lemon thyme
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry grassland, usually on calcareous soils[11].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Serbia and Bulgaria.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Thymus pulegioides Broad-Leaved Thyme, lemon thyme


Thymus pulegioides Broad-Leaved Thyme, lemon thyme

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Thymus pulegioides is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. 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 Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The leaves of some cultivars can be used as a condiment[183, 238]. They can be used as an ingredient of the herb mix 'bouquet garni', or added to soups, vegetables etc, going particularly well with mushrooms or courgettes[238]. 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].

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  Deodorant  Disinfectant  Expectorant

The leaves, and especially the essential oil contained in them, are antiseptic, deodorant, disinfectant and expectorant[200, 222, 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].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

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Other Uses

Deodorant  Disinfectant  Essential

The essential oil obtained from the leaves is also used in perfumery, as a mouth wash, medicinally etc[200].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a light well-drained preferably calcareous soil in a sunny position[1, 200]. Succeeds in dry soils. Grows well between stepping stones on paths, tolerating light treading[183, 200]. Succeeds on walls. 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 at least -10°c[238]. This is a very difficult genus taxonomically, the species hybridize freely with each other and often intergrade into each other[200]. There are many named forms selected for their ornamental value[183]. The leaves are highly aromatic[200]. The flowers are rich in nectar and are very attractive to honey bees[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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. 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

Native Range

EUROPE: Denmark, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, France, Portugal

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 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 x citriodorusLemon Thyme, Creeping Lemon Thyme, Lemon-Scented ThymeShrub0.1 5-10 MLMNDM425
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.

 

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Botanical References

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