Lemon thyme is an easy plant to grow and it makes a great addition to any herb garden.The lemon flavor of this herb pairs well with many different dishes.Pick bright, healthy plants to grow and choose a sunny spot for planting.You can care for lemon thyme by watering it and trimming it.If you want to use your lemon thyme fresh, hang it up to dry.
Step 1: Lemon thyme can be grown in hot and dry climates.
Lemon thyme thrives in warm climates that don't have a lot of rain.Ask your local gardening center if your area has the right climate for lemon thyme to thrive.It's better to cope with a dry environment than it is with rain or cool temperatures.Lemon thyme can be grown in the USDA hardiness zones.
Step 2: Lemon thyme can be planted in the spring.
When the threat of frosts has passed, is the best time to plant lemon thyme.If you wait until the start of spring, you can avoid planting lemon thyme during the fall or winter.
Step 3: You can choose a planting spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
It's best in areas with full sun.Look around your garden to see which areas get the most sun.If you want shade, choose an area that doesn't have any large plants nearby.
Step 4: To prevent root rot, pick an area with well-drained soil.
It thrives in well-drained soil.Pick a spot that has relatively dry soil and it will drain well.Lemon thyme can be planted in areas of stagnant water.Lemon thyme can be damaged by root rot and mold in humid climates.Bark, wood chips, compost, or pea gravel can be mixed into the soil to improve drainage.The ideal soil pH is between 6.5 and 8.5.Most of the garden soils are suitable.
Step 5: Get bright, healthy plants to grow.
Pick the healthiest lemon thyme plants at your local gardening center.Plants with bright leaves and new growth are good to look for.Plants that are healthy are dense, fragrant, and may even have flowers.Lemon thyme can be grown from plants rather than seeds.
Step 6: Lemon thyme can be planted in the ground.
Lemon thyme can be used to create a herb garden, a flower border, or a dense ground cover.If you don't plan to transfer it, the ground or a garden bed is a good place to keep it.Before you plant lemon thyme, make sure the soil is dry and well-drained.
Step 7: If you want to limit growth, you should choose a deep container.
It grows well in containers indoors and outdoors.Pick a container that is the size you want the lemon thyme to grow in and make sure it has a depth of at least 6 in.Plastic containers work well.There is a wide range of different planting pots.If you have enough space, you can plant multiple lemon thyme plants in a single container.If you want to protect the pot from the harsh winter weather, you will need to move it indoors, or bury it in the ground.It is likely that the pot will crack and kill the plant.
Step 8: To plant lemon thyme, dig a hole deeper than the root system.
It's time to start digging if you have picked the right spot.Start digging with a shovel or trowel.There will be enough space for the whole root system if you dig a hole that is slightly deeper than the container the lemon thyme is currently in.The hole doesn't have to be big.It's a good idea to use the container that the plant is in as a guide for how big the hole should be.
Step 9: Take the plant out of the hole and fill it with soil.
Lift the lemon thyme out by squeezing the sides of the container.Take care not to break any roots by filling the hole with soil.The hole should be above the crown of the plant.Make sure that the plant is supported by the soil.The root system of the plant is located at the crown.
Step 10: Lemon thyme plants should be removed by 6 in.
Depending on the type of cover you are aiming for, how far apart you should be.If you want the plants to form a dense ground cover, place each individual plant 6 in (15 cm) apart.If you want the plants to grow separately and not form ground cover, you should give each plant at least 30 cm of space.The plants grow in 30–38 cm tall.
Step 11: If the soil feels dry, water lemon thyme.
It is important to lightly water the soil to prevent it from becoming saturated, as lemon thyme thrives in mostly dry soil.If the soil feels dry, give the plants a little water with the hose or a watering can.If you don't overwater the soil, lemon thyme is relatively easy to care for.
Step 12: New growth should be encouraged by trimming lemon thyme in the early spring.
Take a pair of shears and trim each plant by 1/3.Cut above the points of new growth to keep the plant strong and healthy.This can cause damage if the plant is cut at the leafless stem.The lemon thyme can be trimmed to encourage new leaves to grow.If you want to shape the plant after it has been trimmed, wait until it stops flowering.At the start of spring, remove dead branches.
Step 13: The best time to harvest lemon thyme is in the morning.
If you only need a few leaves, you can either remove individual leaves or cut off a couple of stems.Wait until spring to harvest flowers for decoration.You can harvest lemons at any time during the year.
Step 14: If you aren't going to use it fresh, hang it to dry.
It can be dried if you prefer.Take the leaves and rinse them in water.Tie them in bundles of 3-6 and shake them to get rid of excess humidity.Hang the bundles upside down in a dark place to keep them out of the sun.Place the leaves into the container after they have dried.
Step 15: Add lemon flavor to your dishes with lemon thyme leaves.
It's a great herb to add to dishes.Just before serving, chop the leaves and add them to the dish.Adding lemon thyme to seafood, vegetable, and poultry dishes will give them a bit of zing.You can add fresh lemon thyme flowers to the dishes.It is best to use lemon thyme fresh.