Thymus citriodorus - Lemon Thyme in Organic Plant

Thymus citriodorus, or lemon thyme, bears fragrant leaves that emit a pleasant lemon scent. Its leaves flavour many dishes and its lemony note is particularly suitable for fish, vegetables, and infusions. Lemon thyme thrives in most types of soils, including rocky ones, but it is sensitive to excess moisture. Plant it in spring or autumn and harvest all year round.

This plant is organic. It comes from Organic Agriculture and carries the AB certification.

Native to Western and Southern Europe, where it is sometimes found in the wild, thyme is a perennial undershrub that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This hardy plant forms small fragrant tufts with evergreen grey-green foliage. This honey-bearing plant produces small flowers in summer, ranging in colour from white to pinkish-purple, depending on the varieties.

Its leaves are highly appreciated in cooking. Thyme leaves can be used alone or in a bouquet garni, combined with bay leaf, parsley, and rosemary. The leaves flavour stews, sauces, marinades, and court-bouillons. They are also used in infusions, which can relieve digestive ailments.

Thyme is a hardy and easy-to-grow herb that thrives in poor, light, rocky, and well-drained soils. If your soil is rather moist and clayey, we recommend growing it in a pot where it will thrive.

Harvest: thyme can be harvested throughout the year as its leaves are evergreen. Ideally, pick the leaves in the morning. Thyme is most fragrant during its flowering period in summer. It benefits from pruning to maintain a compact shape, so store the cuttings for use during winter.

Storage: thyme is traditionally preserved by drying. After washing and drying the stems, hang the bouquets upside down in a dry and airy place. This is a simple and quick process. You can also freeze them.

The gardener's tip: in the garden, you can mix genres by planting thyme in the middle of perennial flower beds or even in rockeries. They will integrate perfectly. The strong scents of aromatic plants can repel insects that may attack more delicate plants, such as certain roses.