Aureus

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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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

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Aureus Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Apr 20th	Aug 3rd	Oct 2nd – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Mar 30th	Jul 13th	Sep 11th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	Jul 7th	Sep 5th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	Jul 1st	Aug 30th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	Jun 22nd	Aug 21st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	Jun 19th	Aug 18th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Jun 13th	Aug 12th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Jun 8th	Aug 7th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	May 29th	Jul 28th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	May 20th	Jul 19th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	May 11th	Jul 10th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	Apr 24th	Jun 23rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Mar 30th	May 29th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

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.