Lemon

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Bright as a sunlit grove, Lemon Thyme carries a vivid lemon-citrus perfume that blooms from its tiny leaves with every touch.

The foliage is fine-textured and aromatic, forming a tidy, upright mound that’s as handsome in the garden as it is fragrant at the doorstep. Grow Lemon Thyme for its bold, zesty character in herb blends, infused oils, and fragrant rubs—an easy, high-impact addition for home gardeners who love living flavor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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Lemon 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 20th	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

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

Lemon thyme tastes like citrus perfume with an herbal backbone, so it’s at its best when you’re chasing aroma—finish with a touch after heat or steep it briefly so the leaves don’t turn flat. The tiny foliage slips into butter, oil, and marinades with almost no bitterness, giving you lift without heaviness.

Best Uses

microplaned into butter or yogurt and used as a finishing herb
stirred into lemony marinades for chicken, fish, and lamb
steeped for quick lemon-thyme infused oil or vinegar
rubbed onto roasts or tossed through blistered potatoes at the end

Flavor Profile

vivid lemon-citrus aroma bright, slightly herbal edge fine, delicate leaf that perfumes rather than dominates fragrant warmth when heated

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil butter chicken white fish

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease pest issue for Cucumis sativus (lemon cucumber) and how do I treat it at home?

A frequent problem on cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) is powdery mildew, which shows as a white, dusty coating on leaves that spreads and reduces fruit size. Start treatment as soon as you see the first specks: remove the most affected leaves, increase airflow (thin overcrowded vines), and spray with a potassium bicarbonate or sulfur-based product labeled for cucumbers, following the label rate. Avoid wetting foliage when you water, since damp leaf surfaces speed spread.

How often should I water Cucumis sativus during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture should I aim for?

During active vine growth and fruiting, keep the soil evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for heat and container size. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil dries out, rather than giving frequent light sips that encourage shallow roots. Consistent moisture helps prevent bitter or malformed cucumbers, especially during hot spells.

How can I tell when my Cucumis sativus is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach a typical usable size for your plant (often around 6–8 inches long for home cucumbers) and feel firm, not soft. Check every 1–2 days once they start swelling; cucumbers that stay on the vine too long can become seedy and lose crispness. Expect harvest roughly around the 60-day mark from sowing, with picking beginning earlier if conditions are warm and steady.