How big does Lemon thyme grow?

About 25 cm × 40 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 15–30 cm × 30–45 cm.

What soil does Lemon thyme grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy.

Is Lemon thyme hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Lemon thyme toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

When does Lemon thyme flower?

Flowering: June–July, pink, purple.

How much water does Lemon thyme need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Lemon thyme cost?

It sells for roughly €2.50 to €4.90 in local shops, depending on size.

Lemon thyme

Thymus × citriodorus

Lemon thyme (Thymus × citriodorus) is a ground cover plant that reaches 25 cm × 40 cm after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €2.50.

Illustration of Lemon thyme — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A low, cushion-forming evergreen subshrub whose tiny leaves smell strongly of lemon when rubbed, so you can pick it for fish, poultry and tea. In a sunny, dry spot it works as edging, in rock gardens, between paving stones and in pots, and bees crowd its pale lilac flowers in summer. Give it lean, loose, free-draining soil and trim it after flowering so it stays dense and does not go bare in the middle; the gold and white variegated forms are touchier than the green one.

Watch out for

Its most common failure is rot: in heavy, wet soil, especially in a rainy winter, the crown and roots die, so in Central European clay gardens it is best planted in a gritty raised bed or a pot. Variegated forms (gold or white edged) are less hardy, can be cut back by windy frost without snow cover and now and then throw plain green shoots that need cutting out. It turns bare and woody within a few years unless trimmed regularly; renewing it from cuttings every 4 to 5 years is worthwhile.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 25 cm × 40 cm
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–July, pink, purple

Group	Ground cover
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	25 cm × 40 cm
Ultimate size	15–30 cm × 30–45 cm
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	June–July, pink, purple
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	30 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €2.50

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €2.50 – €4.90

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants that are non-toxic to children Evergreen plants Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden Rock garden plants Fragrant plants

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