Botanical Name: Thymus x citriodorus 'Aureus'
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Common Name: Golden Lemon Thyme  
Plant photo of: Thymus x citriodorus 'Aureus'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial, Herb

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

Pink

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Light Green, Yellow Green, Yellow, Variegated

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Swimming Pool, Walkways, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Container, Cut Flowers, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Tina Olsen Binegar

  • Description

  • Notes

Golden lemon thyme is a deciduous perennial with a mounding to upright habit, growing about 6 to 10 inches tall and wide. Foliage emerges a bright green with yellow margins, and holds the variegation all summer. Flowers are pink and bloom early to mid summer. Foliage has an intense lemon scent, and is useful as a culinary herb. The fragrance is so wonderful, it makes weeding a joy. This thyme is a little too tall be be a good groundcover, but its wonderful along the edges of paths or walks, in an herb garden, or tucked into a sunny perennial border.
Grow in well drained soil in full sun; though it will tolerate part shade, the foliage coloration may become less pronounced and the plant may become a little thin. Adaptive to a variety of soils, as long as they are well draining. The foliage gives a lemony scent to sauces, marinades, stocks, and vinaigrettes, as well as to teas. Snip of stems as necessary for cooking, shear off flowers after blooming, or cut back hard in early spring.