The medicinal properties of many plants have been known for a very long time. In order to grow their own green pharmacy in their garden beds, summer residents are looking for opportunities to plant medicinal plants. Growing lemon thyme is not difficult, and its beneficial qualities cannot be overestimated.
Lemon-scented thyme: description
There are more than 400 species of this plant, the most common being lemon thyme.It is undemanding in care, unpretentious and very useful. Its use is very wide: lemon-smelling thyme is used in cooking, cosmetology and folk medicine.
The perennial plant is the result of crossing common thyme and flea thyme. It differs from other varieties with a pronounced lemon smell. Moreover, not only the leaves smell, but also the stem and flowers.
Appearance of the plant:
- bush height 15-25 cm;
- by autumn the trunk near the base becomes woody;
- spreading or erect depends on growing conditions;
- leaf length 1 cm, width 3 cm, edges curved;
- the flowers are on the stem itself, their diameter is 4 mm;
- bell-shaped flower, inflorescence spike.
The positive characteristics of the plant bring benefits in many areas, but do not forget about the small disadvantage of the crop. She cannot tolerate strong drops in temperature. Therefore, it is recommended to cover it in winter. If this is not done, the stems will die every year, and the plant will turn from a perennial to an annual.
Lemon thyme varieties
Selection does not stand still; today a large number of varieties of this medicinal herb are known. But among them there are also the most common ones, which many summer residents know firsthand.
Donna Varley
The Donna Varley variety of lemon thyme has all the positive characteristics of the plant.
Description:
- height 10 cm;
- fast growing plant;
- leaves are small, length 5-10 mm, golden color, with a yellow-green tint;
- the flowers are small, collected at the end of the stem, light lilac in color;
- Flowering time: May-August.
The thyme variety Donna Varley prefers sunny areas. If it grows in shade or partial shade, it stretches out and becomes faded, losing the golden hue of the leaves.
Needs additional watering only in case of a very dry period. The rest of the time it is content with natural precipitation.
When choosing soil for planting, it is better to choose fertile and well-drained soil; strongly acidic types of soil should be avoided.
Thyme Donna Varley has strong immunity to diseases. If the plant is regularly trimmed, it grows compact and dense.
Silver Queen
A common variety of thyme has the following characteristics:
- height 10-15 cm, during flowering 30 cm due to rising peduncles;
- width 80 cm;
- fast growing plant;
- leaf length 1 cm, dark green color with white edge, curved downwards;
- small light pink flowers collected in a loose spike;
- blooms from June to August.
Prefers to grow in the sun, blooms well in the shade. Selects fertile and well-drained soils. Does not like acidic soils, but grows in slightly acidic soils. To form a compact bush, pruning is necessary.
Thyme does not require watering, but needs additional moisture during dry periods in spring and summer. Waterlogging of the soil is not allowed. The plant is not sick with anything and is not afraid of pests.
Golden Duarf
Summer residents prune plants to form compact, dense bushes used for alpine slides or garden decorations.
Characteristics of thyme Golden Duarf:
- height 15-30 cm;
- fast growing plant;
- leaf length 1 cm, color bright green with yellow spots;
- the flowers are small, pink, collected at the tips of the stem in spikelets;
- blooms from June to August.
Thyme is undemanding to moisture, but does not like waterlogging. Practically not susceptible to diseases and pest attacks.It is better to choose fertile soil; thyme grows under any lighting conditions. Not afraid of frost. Widely used for decorating areas, the reason is that lemon thyme has bright and unusual leaf colors.
Bertram Anderson
A perennial plant with a strong lemon scent.
Description of thyme by Bertram Anderson:
- height 20 cm;
- grows quickly;
- leaf length 1 cm, color bright yellow;
- the flowers are lavender-pink, small, during flowering their size reaches 30 cm;
- blooms from June to July.
Thyme grows in the shade and in the sun. When choosing a place for planting, pay attention to the fertility of the soil. It should be neutral. Do not choose places with acidic soil.
Anderson Thyme is drought tolerant but requires extra watering during particularly hot periods.
Growing thyme from seeds in open ground
The most tried and true method propagation and cultivation of thyme, this is planting with seeds. Even beginners in this business should not have any particular difficulties.
There are no special features to growing lemon thyme. It is enough to choose the right place, choose seeds and follow the agrotechnical techniques familiar to all summer residents.
First of all, the summer resident selects a place for the plant to grow and develop well. A lighted area of moderate fertility and protected from stagnant moisture is required. Properly organized drainage will help get rid of excess moisture.
The shadow has a detrimental effect on thyme, its flower stalks stretch upward, and the plant itself turns pale.
Thyme seeds of any variety are sown in autumn and spring. The main condition is a long warm period so that the thyme has time to take root.
Before you start planting, you need to prepare the area, loosen it not very deeply and remove all the weeds.Urea and humus are added, then planting begins. Thyme seeds are sown superficially, not deep into the soil. Sprinkle a thin layer of river sand on top. The distance between rows is 40 cm.
Plants need moisture to grow, so they strictly ensure that the soil does not dry out. When the thyme grows, it must be thinned out, leaving a distance of 30 cm between the bushes.
Growing plants at home
To grow lemon thyme, you don't have to do anything special. There will be no difficulties with growing. Thyme is unpretentious and undemanding to conditions. It is enough to fulfill some requirements, and the plant will feel good on the windowsill in a pot.
You need to purchase a small flower pot with a diameter of 15-20 cm. Choose a sunny place.
You should start with drainage, layer height 2 cm. Then the fertile soil is watered with water and thyme seeds are sown. Planting depth is 1 cm, shoots will appear in 10 days. All this time, they carefully monitor the soil moisture, avoiding drying out.
After the thyme sprouts, it is provided with warmth and sunlight. This way the thyme will develop correctly, the plants will not stretch out and lose their scent.
Leaves are plucked constantly, do not forget that there is no need to tear them off too much. The plant will weaken or die.
Plant care
Thyme does not require special care. But if you follow some rules, an elegant, beautiful thyme bush will become a decoration of your garden.
Watering
Water regularly, but in moderation; lemon thyme does not tolerate waterlogging. Increase the number of waterings and the volume of water only during the flowering of thyme.
Trimming
Plants for flower beds are formed.It is enough to trim the tops in the fall, and in the spring the thyme will begin to grow in width, forming a wide and voluminous bush.
Loosening
It is necessary to loosen the soil, this will help retain moisture and give the thyme roots enough oxygen to develop.
Top dressing
Fertilizers are introduced when planting lemon-scented thyme seeds, and urea is added. Afterwards this must be done every spring.
Fresh manure is strictly prohibited for this medicinal plant. If the soil is highly acidic, it is allowed to add a little wood ash to the soil. Mineral fertilizers will be suitable in subsequent years.
Protection from pests and diseases
Thyme has strong immunity due to aromatic substances. But due to improper agricultural practices, thyme is attacked by insects:
- aphids;
- meadow moths;
- sand sluggers;
- weevils.
To prevent plants from getting sick, it is necessary to follow the rules of agricultural technology.
Home care
It is as easy to care for in the house as in the garden. Thyme needs light and temperature conditions. In autumn, the pot of thyme is removed to a darker window. Or they reduce the air temperature in the room. It is even recommended to place thyme on the balcony, provided that it is glazed and does not freeze too much.
It is not necessary to feed; mineral fertilizers are added if desired. In room conditions, pruning is carried out 2 times:
- before the onset of cold weather;
- after the end of winter.
Water the thyme as needed, without drying out or flooding the plants.
Harvesting
For fresh consumption thyme leaves and stems collected at any time. This is done carefully, using gardening tools; damage to the roots leads to the death of the entire plant.
The entire above-ground part of thyme is used for medicinal purposes; it is cut from June to August during the flowering period. At this time, the plant is most fragrant and healing.
Dry thyme, spreading it out in a thin layer or hanging it in bunches, in a dark, well-ventilated room. After the thyme dries, it is crushed and placed in airtight containers. The harvested crop is stored for 2 years. Place the thyme in a dark place.
Lemon thyme contains many substances that benefit the body. Growing a medicinal herb is easy and requires minimal care. Thyme grows beautifully on the windowsill, delighting you with a harvest all year round.
