Using Lemon Thyme as a Ground Cover Plant in Your Garden

Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) is an herbaceous perennial plant that can make an excellent ground cover in the garden. With its lemon-scented foliage, low spreading habit and pretty flowers, lemon thyme offers a great alternative to traditional turf grass lawns. Here is a comprehensive guide on using lemon thyme as a delightful ground cover plant.

Overview of Lemon Thyme

Lemon thyme is a low-growing, mat-forming thyme variety that grows 4-8 inches tall and spreads 12-18 inches wide. It has attractive tiny leaves that are bright green and oval in shape. The foliage is very aromatic with a refreshing lemon scent when crushed or brushed.

Lemon thyme produces clusters of tiny pink, purple or white flowers in early summer The flowers are very attractive to bees After flowering, the plant develops tiny brown seed pods. It is a perennial plant hardy to USDA zones 5-11 and can withstand some foot traffic.

There are several cultivars of lemon thyme such as ‘Silver Queen’, ‘Golden King’ and ‘Lemon Frost’. ‘Lemon Frost’ has variegated leaves edged in cream and is especially attractive as a ground cover.

Benefits of Lemon Thyme Ground Cover

Using lemon thyme as a ground cover plant offers many great benefits

• Produces a lovely lemon fragrance when walked on
• Stays short and spreads readily to form a dense mat
• Tolerates light foot traffic
• Requires less mowing and maintenance than lawn grasses
• Helps prevent soil erosion on slopes and banks
• Attracts beneficial pollinators like bees to the garden
• Adds year-round visual interest with foliage and flowers
• Withstands drought, heat and humidity once established

Tips for Growing Lemon Thyme Ground Cover

Lemon thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Here are some tips for successfully growing it as a ground cover:

• Select a site with at least 6 hours of direct sun exposure daily. Lemon thyme needs full sun to look its best.

• Prepare the soil well by mixing in 1-2 inches of compost to improve drainage. Lemon thyme prefers drier soil and good drainage.

• Space plants 12-15 inches apart to allow them to spread and form a continuous cover. Buy multiple 4-6 inch pots to cover larger areas.

• Plant in spring once the danger of frost has passed. Water the plants deeply after transplanting them.

• Use a light mulch like gravel or pebbles to help retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.

• Clip off flowers after blooming to encourage more dense, low growth. Prune lightly in spring to shape and rejuvenate the ground cover.

• Water lemon thyme weekly during the first year while the plants establish. Then water only during extended dry periods.

• Divide congested plants every 2-3 years in spring to reinvigorate the ground cover. Replant divisions to fill in bare spots.

Using Lemon Thyme as a Lawn Substitute

If you are looking for an aromatic, carefree alternative to high maintenance lawns, lemon thyme is an excellent option. Here are some ideas for using it as a lawn substitute:

• Plant it as a fragrant lawn replacement or as a border along garden beds and walkways. The scent increases when walked on.

• Use it on sloped areas or banks to control erosion. The extensive root system helps stabilize the soil.

• Plant it between stepping stones or pavers to create a lush, lemon-scented path.

• Allow it to spill over in low containers, raised beds, living walls and greenhouse benches.

• Combine it with other creeping thyme varieties like woolly thyme and white-flowering creeping thyme for interest.

• Let it fill the spaces between taller ornamental grasses for a meadow-like effect.

Companion Plants for Lemon Thyme Ground Cover

Here are some great options for companion plants that complement and contrast nicely with lemon thyme:

• Bulbs like crocus, grape hyacinths, snowdrops and dwarf iris help add early season color before the thyme greens up. They go dormant before the thyme spreads.

• Annuals like sweet alyssum, lobelia, petunias and violas add pops of color. They reseed themselves easily among the thyme.

• Ornamental grasses like blue fescue, sedge and liriope provide height contrast and texture. Their clumping habit leaves room for thyme to spread.

• Herbs like oregano, chamomile, lavender and sage complement thyme. Mix them in for a multifunctional herb garden.

• Succulents like hen and chicks, sedum and delosperma spread nicely around thyme plants, providing drought tolerance and diversity.

• Spring bulbs followed by quick-growing annuals is a great combination to keep the thyme looking its best in all seasons.

Caring for Established Lemon Thyme Ground Cover

Once established after 1-2 years, lemon thyme requires very little care and maintenance:

• Water deeply only once every 2-3 weeks in the absence of rain to keep it looking fresh. Avoid overwatering.

• Cut back any leggy, woody growth and trim errant stems in spring to improve its appearance.

• Rake gently with a wide-tooth rake or wood rake to remove dead leaves and debris as needed.

• Weed periodically during the first year. Once the plants fill in, they will successfully crowd out weeds.

• Shear off spent flowers to encourage more dense, compact growth. Always prune lightly taking care not to damage the plants.

• Apply a thin layer of mulch around the plants every year to help retain moisture and control weeds.

• Divide congested plants every 2-3 years in early spring and replant divisions to rejuvenate the planting.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Lemon thyme is relatively trouble-free but may experience a few issues:

• Poor drainage can cause root rot. Improve drainage before planting and avoid overwatering.

• Insufficient sunlight leads to leggy, sparse growth. Give it at least 6 hours of direct sun.

• Harsh winter climates can cause some dieback. Apply winter mulch for protection in cold zones.

• Excess shade from larger plants can prevent spreading and cause bare spots. Thin surroundings plants to increase sun exposure.

• Heavy clay soil can lead to poor growth. Lighten and improve clay soils before planting by amending with compost.

• Weed problems may occur the first year before the thyme fills in. Use mulch and handpick weeds to remedy.

With proper planting, care and maintenance, lemon thyme makes an outstanding ground cover that releases a delightful lemon fragrance when walked upon. Give this hardy, easy-growing herb a try as a lawn substitute in your garden.