Golden Lemon Thyme Plant – A Complete Guide to Growing
Golden Lemon Thyme (Thymus x citriodorus ‘Aureus’) just might be my favourite herb. And you might share that sentiment too after reading this. A short and compact plant with bright golden leaves and an intoxicating lemon fragrance, perhaps it’s no wonder that this plant has become a hit with gardeners and cooks. Whether you’re looking to add a bit more flavour to your recipes or your garden, or some to your soil, this beautiful plant might just be what you’ve been looking for. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover all it for you. We’ll talk about the golden lemon thyme plant’s origins and characteristics, then cover its history, plant characteristics, and seasons where it blooms its best. We’ll also go over standard growing requirements, planting methods, and culinary and medicinal benefits of Golden Lemon Thyme.
What is Golden Lemon Thyme?
Golden lemon thyme (Thymus × citriodorus ‘Aureus’), also called lemon or variegated thyme, is a variegated thyme variety with a lemon fragrance and golden leaves, making it both fragrant and visually attractive. This perennial herb species is in the mint family (Lamiaceae) and has been cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes for hundreds of years, as many varieties of thyme have been. Though most thymes have a minty, pink peppercorn fragrance, golden lemon thyme is a special variety due to its citrus aroma and bright leaves.
Originally from the Mediterranean, golden lemon thyme is a low-growing, woody perennial that thrives in temperate climates. They get to be from 6 to 12 inches tall, and spread out to about 12 to 18 inches. Leaves are small and oval, evergreen, and the golden-leaved variety is hardy and a hybrid of both lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodorus), so it’s long-lasting and beautiful year-round, if you live in a climate where it can withstand the cold winters. It also blooms white or pale pink flowers in the summer.
Benefits of Growing Golden Lemon Thyme
Golden lemon thyme adds garden appeal and can elevate your cooking while providing possible health benefits. Here are eight great reasons why you should grow this fabulous herb 1. It’s a gorgeous herb for the garden Few edible perennials can rival golden lemon thyme in terms of beauty and presence, which makes it a wonderful addition to borders and vegetable beds. Whether you use it to brighten up a large pot on your porch or place it in a rock garden for that extra bit of colour, this herb truly stands out from the crowd. 2. It’s extremely versatile as a kitchen herb Lemon thyme tastes similar to regular thyme, except that its flavour is slightly stronger and fresher. Not surprisingly, it excels in dishes where fresh thyme is often used, such as roasts and boiled vegetables, as well as soups and stews. In fact, nothing complements a hearty bowl of French onion soup like a sprig of lemon thyme. This perennial herb makes an ideal garnish for salads and various dishes, adding a touch of elegance as well as flavour. Grilled fish acquires a delicious extra dimension with the addition of lemon thyme, as its contrasting flavour accentuates the buttery richness of grilled seafood. If you’re a fan of Mediterranean cuisine, lemon thyme can elevate a wide assortment of recipes.
Culinary Uses
Golden lemon thyme has both culinary and ornamental qualities. Culinarily, it adds an exciting layer of flavour and complexity to your cooking. Its citrus character fuses well with the thin, minty, woody, floral, slightly peppery, warm notes of thyme. Golden lemon thyme is especially suited to savoury dishes, and pair perfectly with savoury ingredients and spices. It’s just as at home when cooked as it is in raw dishes; try infusing it with oil for a bright, fresh, funky dressing or splash in a steaming bowl of broth at the last moment before serving. You can use golden lemon thyme to season desserts and pastries too. It goes perfectly with ice creams, sorbets, lemon curd tarts, grapefruit syrup cakes, panna cotta, crème brulees with berries, waffles and almond and lemon yoghurt cakes.
Poultry, fish and lamb dishes especially revel in its peppery citrus notes. Meat dishes: It’s especially popular in poultry, fish and lamb dishes, the citrus notes complementing the natural flavours of the meat.
Soups and strews: Float a twig of golden lemon thyme in a broth to give your soup or strew an aromatic lift.
Vegetable dishes: Match this wine with roasted vegetable, potatoes, and salads, enhancing the freshness of the ingredients.
Infused oils and butters: Use to flavour pasta or drizzle on grilled foods or bread.
Its flavour is milder so it works well for people who like less punchy herbaceous notes.
Medicinal Properties
Like most thymes, it has been used in traditional medicine, for example to treat coughs, sore throats or painful joints. It is a good source of essential oils, notably thymol and carvacrol, which have antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Some of its traditional uses are:
3. Full of respiratory relief: Thyme is used to help relieve inflammation and symptoms that are associated with the following types of respiratory issues – congested lungs, coughs, sore throat, bronchitis.
Digestive aid: The herb has been used to ease digestive discomfort and reduce bloating.
Skincare: The herb is useful against infection due to its mild antibacterial properties, and is often used to treat acne and other common skin complaints; it is said to aid healing of small wounds.
Boosting immunity: Thyme contains antioxidants that may help support the immune system.
While golden lemon thyme might provide these health benefits, however, it should not be used medicinally without first consulting a health professional.
Ornamental Value
But its gold-tinged leaves, besides providing culinary and homeopathic benefits, also provide variety to a garden. In the company of its green-leaved brethren, they shine like sirloin steaks at a neighbourhood barbecue. Their low, creeping habit also gives choice for edging, ground cover and rock gardens. Beyond the kitchen window, golden lemon thyme lends its sunny touch to the garden, providing a breath of brightness. In a monochromatic setting, these plants add hues of yellow and green that would otherwise be missing. Thyme is helpful for sleep and can aid with snoring Golden lemon thyme’s aromatic perfume attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which help blooming plants make seeds. Thyme is under-valued when it comes to the birds and the bees. This garden favourite and mighty little workhorse also deserves star billing in the movie Eco.
How to Grow Golden Lemon Thyme
Another of our favourites is golden lemon thyme. It is not particularly difficult to grow, which is why it is beloved by many gardeners, novice and experienced alike. Here’s some basic information that you should know about growing and maintaining this herb.
Soil Requirements
Golden lemon thyme flourishes in soils with good drainage; it makes a great addition to a rock garden or raised bed, or you can add it to containers. It prefers a slightly alkaline to neutral soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0). If your soil is too acidic, amend with lime.
Sunlight and Temperature
This sun-loving herb requires at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, so position it in your garden’s sunniest spot in cooler climates, and in partial shade (especially in the scorching afternoon hours) in warmer climes. Find golden lemon thyme bushy in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9, where temperatures do not drop too sharply in winter. Light frosts are tolerable, if your plant is well-established.
Watering
Golden lemon thyme is drought tolerant once established and should only be watered when the soil becomes dry to the touch. Due to its low leaf canopy, overwatering can lead to root rot. Although this stringy-stemmed variety may not look like a low-maintenance plant, getting the watering just right can be tricky. Never water the leaves or the plant will likely get fungus problems.
Fertilizing
Golden lemon thyme isn’t a heavy feeder, so it doesn’t need fertilising much. And, over-fertilising decreases the oil in leaves that create the herb’s flavour and fragrance. Give it a light application of compost or a balanced, slow-release fertiliser that will be enough in the spring to keep it going strong.