Aureus

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Bright as a sunlit herb garden, Aureus Lemon Thyme carries vivid golden foliage with a delicate, lemony lift that perfumes the air as you brush past.

The leaves are small and fine-textured, forming a tidy, aromatic mound that’s especially prized for its fresh, zesty character in garden bouquets and fragrant blends. Grow Aureus for its quick, 60-day maturity and its ability to bring vivid color and lively fragrance to borders, containers, and herb beds year after year.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 13th
Harvest Begins	Aug 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Aureus Lemon Thyme tastes like thyme wearing a citrus scarf—use it late so the lemony perfume doesn’t steam off. Its small, tender leaves melt into sauces and dressings cleanly, giving a fragrant snap without turning fibrous.

Best Uses

toss through warm potatoes or buttered grains at the very end
finish seafood and poultry with a quick mince-and-sprinkle
stir into yogurt, crème fraîche, or lemony dressings
steep for a lemon-thyme simple syrup or cordial

Flavor Profile

bright lemon-citrus lift fine, delicate thyme-like herbiness aromatic, almost tea-leaf perfume tender leaves that soften quickly

Kitchen Pairings

salmon olive oil lemon zest garlic honey Greek yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Aureus leaves getting blotchy or gray, and what should I do about it?

Aureus commonly develops gray mold or leaf spotting when foliage stays wet and air movement is poor. Water at the base only, remove heavily affected leaves, and thin seedlings so plants are spaced to keep leaves from touching. If the problem keeps spreading, spray with a labeled fungicide appropriate for vegetables and follow the label interval until harvest.

How often should I water Aureus during its main growing phase (weeks 2–8)?

During the main growth period, keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 deep waterings if weather is hot or windy. Let the top 1/2 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, then water deeply to encourage steady root growth. Mulch around Aureus helps stabilize moisture and reduces wet foliage that triggers disease.

How can I tell when Aureus is ready to harvest at around 60 days?

Harvest when heads/foliage are at full size for Aureus and the plant looks firm and well-developed, typically about 60 days from sowing. For the best quality, pick before any leaves start to yellow severely or break down, and use a sharp knife or shears to cut cleanly at the base. If you’re unsure, harvest one plant and check that the interior/center is fully filled out with the expected texture for Aureus.