Thymus citriodorus 'Silver Queen' - Lemon Thyme

Mid-green foliage with silver variegation sets this gorgeous herb apart, and its striking lemony scent only adds to this. Hardy throughout most of the UK, down to -15°C.

This evergreen thyme plant will fill your home or garden with its fresh citrus scent. Its pretty foliage is mid-green with silver variegation, and in summer it flowers with spires of tiny lilac pink blooms. And this plant doesn't just stop at the aesthetic and fragrant aspects. You can add it to your cooking, steep it to make a tea or sprinkle on your homebaking to spread the joy. Gardener's World recommends its use in chicken and fish recipes, and we're sure it'll go great with veggie and vegan recipes too. This plant is native to the Mediterranean, so think dry and hot when you're deciding where to plant it; this plant has been used in rock gardens, as path edging and as an alternative to lawns, so there's lots of choice to go off!

Scientific Name
Thymus x citriodorus 'Silver Queen' (citrus-smelling hybrid thyme, cultivar: silver queen)

Common Name
Lemon Creeping Thyme, Lemon Thyme

Origin
Native to France and Spain, this hybrid thyme has also been introduced in Germany and here in Great Britain.

Pruning Tips
It's not necessary to prune this plant, but you can trim back in spring to help keep a nice, neat shape.

Wildlife Value
Supplies nectar for butterflies and nectar-drinking moths; also supplies nectar and pollen for bees including honeybees, and there is research to suggest it can give them protection against disease too! Also attracts hoverflies.

Positioning
Grow this plant in full sun; it will do best in a sheltered spot but can grow in more exposed areas too.

Water
Your thyme is drought tolerant so don't worry too much about watering except in extremely dry weather or in a smaller container.

Soil
Use a well-draining soil to keep this plant happy. An alkaline soil, with chalk, loam or sand as a base will work well here.

Food
This plant doesn't like rich soil but will benefit from a feed in spring and summer; one high in potassium, such as a tomato feed, will be ideal.

Pet-safe
Yes - no toxicity reported, though it's best for the plant and your pets if they don't nibble too much!

Sprouts Top Tips
If you want to divide this plant, spring is the best time; for semi-hardwood cuttings, mid- to late summer is best. If you harvest this plant frequently, you will help it keep its shape and won't need to prune; just make sure you don't take to much without giving the plant time to recover.