Herbs

Thymus 'Golden Lemon'

Golden Lemon thyme

Thymus citriodorus Golden Lemon thyme, photo courtesy of Darwin Perennials / Ball Horticultural Company; Propagation is prohibited.

A low, spreading lemon-scented thyme with green leaves edged in gold. The color is strongest in bright light, making it useful along a sunny herb-bed edge or in a container. It needs freely draining soil, especially through a wet winter. Trim lightly after flowering; avoid cutting hard into bare old wood.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun
Mature size: About 4 in. (commercial grower reference) tall × About 9–12 in. (commercial grower reference) wide
Water: Light; well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA zones 6–9 (commercial grower rating)

Sizes & prices

4.5"$6.99
6''Golden leaf$9.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

Ask about this plant

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Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Commercial grower lists this selection as resistant; browsing can still occur.
Drought: Thyme tolerates dry spells after establishment; water new plants and containers as needed.
Wet soil: Avoid saturated soil, especially in winter.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Pollinators & wildlife

Attracts: Bees

Culinary uses

Edible parts: Aromatic leaves from culinary-grown thyme.
Uses: Use small fresh sprigs to add lemon-thyme flavor to savory dishes; use only correctly identified plants grown for food.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Green and gold-variegated, lemon-scented leaves; evergreen where winter conditions suit it.

Growing & care

Winter: Choose a sunny, freely draining spot. The quoted USDA range is a commercial grower rating, not a guarantee for every Kentucky garden.
Harvest: Snip young leafy shoots during active growth.
Name note: RHS accepts Thymus ‘Golden Lemon’; commercial and arboretum references place a selection of this name under T. ×citriodorus. The nursery label does not establish a narrower species assignment.

Trim lightly after flowering. Keep winter soil from staying wet, and check the label of the actual plant for site-specific hardiness.

Sources & photo credits

Royal Horticultural Society

JC Raulston Arboretum

Darwin Perennials

Botanical name: Kew Science.

Photo: Thymus citriodorus Golden Lemon thyme, photo courtesy of Darwin Perennials / Ball Horticultural Company; resized for web without enlargement. · Ball customer promotional-use photo license

Image notes: Thymus citriodorus Golden Lemon thyme, photo courtesy of Darwin Perennials / Ball Horticultural Company; resized for web without enlargement. Propagation is prohibited.

Reviewed 2026-09-29. Growing conditions vary by location.