General Culture:
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates drought and poor soils of somewhat low fertility. Loose, sandy or rocky soils with excellent drainage are best. Dislikes moist to wet soils where it tends to rot. Cut back stems as necessary to maintain plant appearance or to control growth/spread or to limit unsightly woody stem growth. Plants are evergreen in mild winter climates. Harvest leaves for cooking throughout the growing season.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Lemon thyme (T. x citriodorus) is a hybrid thyme (T. vulgaris x T. pulegioides) that is primarily grown as a culinary herb for its rich, lemon-scented leaves. 'Silver Queen' is a lemon thyme cultivar that features leaves edged with silver. It is an erect, bushy, woody-based perennial that typically grows 4-12" tall with upward branching stems. It has a slightly more open habit than the species. Tiny, narrowly ovate, dark green leaves have thin silver margins. Leaves have a strong lemon scent which reaches its aromatic peak just before flowering. Leaves are frequently used fresh or dried (much better fresh) as a seasoning in a variety of culinary applications including salads, soups, stews, sauces, and meat or fish dishes. Fresh sprigs may be used as a garnish. Whorls of tiny, tubular, pale lilac flowers appear on the stem ends in early summer. Flowers are attractive to bees.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to root rot, particularly in moist, poorly-drained soils.
Uses:
Lemon thyme is a staple of most herb gardens. The silver-edged foliage of this cultivar has excellent ornamental value, however, and plants can also be effectively grown in rock gardens or border fronts.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
More photos:
(1 ratings) --- 
