Creme De Mint

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

A bright, sunlit perfume leads the way with Creme De Mint—lemon-thyme fragrance that feels crisp and uplifting, with a gentle, minty lift on the finish.

The leaves are small and finely textured, forming a tidy, aromatic mat that’s especially prized for fresh use and for stirring into herb-forward blends, sauces, and marinades. Grow it for its vivid, garden-to-table presence and its quick, dependable 30-day turnaround to flavorful harvests.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 30 DaysHabit: Upright

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	May 25th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	30
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Creme De Mint (lemon thyme) tastes like sunshine with a clean, cool edge—small leaves stay fragrant without turning woody. Use it fresh or added late so the lemon perfume doesn’t dull and the mint lift still shows up on the finish.

Best Uses

fresh-chopped into vinaigrettes and yogurt sauces
stir into marinades for chicken, lamb, or shrimp
fold at the end into pan sauces to keep the citrus perfume intact
steep into light syrups or herb teas for cocktails and spritzes

Flavor Profile

bright lemony-citrus lift crisp, finely herbal bite a gentle minty cool finish fragrant thyme backbone

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil Greek yogurt chicken lamb

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem should I watch for on Thymus citriodorus (lemon thyme), and what should I do first?

Lemon thyme commonly suffers from root rot when soil stays soggy, often showing up as sudden wilting and yellowing despite moist-looking soil. Let the top 1–2 inches of mix dry before watering and ensure the pot has drainage holes or the bed is well-drained; remove any severely blackened roots. If you see persistent stem collapse, re-root healthy cuttings into fresh, drier potting mix rather than trying to revive the original plant.

How often should I water lemon thyme during its main growth phase?

During active growth, water only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry, aiming for a deep soak that drains completely. In warm weather this may be roughly every 5–10 days depending on your container size and heat, but never on a fixed schedule. Avoid misting the foliage—lemon thyme in humid conditions prefers dry leaves to prevent spotting.

How can I tell when Thymus citriodorus is ready to harvest (it’s about 30 days to maturity)?

Harvest when plants have formed sturdy, woody-ish stems and plenty of leafy growth—typically around 30 days from transplanting or when seedlings reach a strong, branching size. Cut sprigs in the morning just before the heat, taking no more than one-third of the plant at a time; regrowth is best after light, repeated harvesting. You’re ready when the leaves smell strongly lemony when gently rubbed and the sprigs hold their shape rather than feeling tender and watery.