Silver-Edged Lemon Thyme

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Silver-Edged Lemon Thyme to a garden.

Sunlit and silvery, Silver-Edged Lemon Thyme releases a bright lemony perfume the moment you brush its foliage—an aromatic whisper with a clean, herbaceous backbone.

The leaves are small and tightly held, edged in cool silver and backed by a vivid green center, creating a dense, tidy mat that’s as beautiful as it is fragrant. Grow it for fresh fragrance in garden beds and containers, and for flavor-forward infusions, herb blends, and savory seasonings that benefit from its vivid citrus character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Silver-Edged Lemon Thyme

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Silver-Edged Lemon Thyme 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	Jun 1st	Jul 27th	Sep 25th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	May 18th	Jul 13th	Sep 11th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	May 11th	Jul 6th	Sep 4th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	May 1st	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	May 1st	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	May 5th	Jun 30th	Aug 29th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	May 1st	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 29th	Jun 24th	Aug 23rd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 24th	Jun 19th	Aug 18th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 20th	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 17th	Jun 12th	Aug 11th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 11th	Jun 6th	Aug 5th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Apr 6th	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 27th	May 22nd	Jul 21st – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 18th	May 13th	Jul 12th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 9th	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 20th	Apr 17th	Jun 16th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 26th	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – 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

Silver-Edged Lemon Thyme hits with a citrus snap—aromatic up front, then that classic thyme sturdiness on the back of the palate. Use it at the end of cooking for maximum lemon perfume, or steep it briefly so the oil and alcohol carry the fragrance without turning bitter.

Best Uses

steep for lemon-thyme infused syrup or quick pickle brine
sprinkle chopped leaves into pan sauces and pan-roasted veg right at the end
bruise into herb butter for grilled chicken or fish
infuse olive oil for finishing over beans, lentils, and potatoes

Flavor Profile

bright lemony perfume tight, woody herb backbone small-leaf aromatic intensity clean, citrus-edged finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil butter lemon zest white wine chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease issue commonly affects Thymus citriodorus (silver-edged lemon thyme), and how can I fix it?

Silver-edged lemon thyme commonly suffers from root rot and stem/collar problems when soils stay wet, especially in cool, poorly drained spots. Grow it in sharply draining soil, water only when the top 1–2 cm feels dry, and remove any plants with dark, mushy roots to prevent spread. If you see persistent gray fuzz or dieback, improve airflow and keep foliage dry, then cut back affected stems to healthy growth.

How often should I water silver-edged lemon thyme during its main growing phase?

During active growth, water deeply only when the top 1–2 inches (2–5 cm) of soil are dry, which is often every 7–14 days depending on heat and container size. Aim for an “in between” rhythm—thyme in Lamiaceae prefers dry-leaning conditions and will decline if kept constantly moist. In containers, ensure excess water drains fully and empty any saucer after watering.

How do I tell when silver-edged lemon thyme is ready to harvest?

Harvest once plants are established and at least about 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) tall, typically around 60 days from sowing for first cuts. Pick stems when they have lots of fragrant leaves but before heavy flowering; the essential oils are usually most intense just before blooms open. Snip non-woody growth (top 1/3 of stems), leaving the lower parts intact so the plant can re-sprout for repeat harvests.