CropsThyme › Lemon Thyme

Lemon Thyme
Thyme in the US

Lemon Thyme brings a lovely citrusy twist to your dishes, a bit different from the usual. It's a reliable grower outdoors and really adds something special to chicken or fish.

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Sow window for Thyme generally, zone 6.

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How to grow it

Sowing thyme is pretty straightforward. You'll want to sow the tiny seeds very shallow, just barely covered with a sprinkle of soil, maybe a quarter inch deep. Keep the compost moist and warm, around 60-70°F (15-21°C). For folks in zones 5-7, April and May are good times, but always check your local last frost dates. Zones 8 and up can get started earlier, January or February even, and colder zones like 3 and 4 might wait until May or June. Some varieties prefer starting indoors, others can go straight out; check your seed packet. Like I say, it's an easy one.

Once your seedlings are big enough to handle, with a couple of true leaves, you can prick them out into individual pots. Give them a bit of space, you know. Before planting them out in the garden, always harden them off for a week or two, gradually getting them used to the outdoors. Space them about 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart in a sunny spot with good drainage. Thyme loves a bit of sun. It's great in containers too, if you're short on space or want it near the kitchen door.

Full Thyme guide →

More Thyme varieties

Track your Thyme from packet to plate

Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.

Tony C Smith
Tony C Smith

Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.