How To Grow Lemon Thyme Indoors And Actually Keep It Alive

Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) is a popular Mediterranean herb that features a pleasing lemony scent and a citrus taste. It adds flavor and zing to vegetable dishes, marinades, teas, seafood dishes, and more. Thyme is one of several herbs that will grow in your kitchen, providing you with a supply of fresh citrusy seasoning any time you want it. Lemon thyme can be grown indoors successfully, but there are a few growing conditions crucial to its indoor success: getting the right amount of sunlight every day and making sure to water it correctly. Not getting these two necessities correct can cause your lemon thyme to struggle and possibly not survive. 

Lemon thyme loves sunlight and needs a lot of it to thrive. Ensure your plant gets the right amount of sunshine by placing it in a sunny, southern-facing window for at least six to eight hours every day. If you don't have a window that gets that much sunlight per day, get LED grow lights to make up for whatever is not coming in through the windows. Watering properly can be a little tricky, but it is also very important for indoor growth success. Once your lemon thyme is established, it is drought-resistant and will thrive better with less water. You'll want to avoid seeing signs that you are overwatering your plants by following the right watering routine.  The soil should be dry at least one inch from the top when checked with your finger. Water the lemon thyme deeply, and then don't water it again until the soil is dry. Once the soil is dry, drench your thyme again and repeat that dry-out and drench process as needed.

Choosing the right container to plant your lemon thyme in is another important part of its growth success. One of the best choices is a terracotta clay pot, which allows the soil to dry out sufficiently in between watering sessions. There are a few things to know when gardening with terracotta pots, but it is an excellent and very popular material that not only looks great but will also help regulate the moisture your thyme is exposed to and keep the soil temperature stable. Make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes. One large hole is sufficient, but having several holes is even better. Plant your lemon thyme in a pot that is at least 6 to 8 inches deep and around 8 to 12 inches wide. This will give your herb plenty of space for the roots to grow without being cramped.

Lemon thyme does best in well-draining soil that is sandy and has a pH of about 7.0. You want to choose potting soil that is airy and lightweight to improve air flow and ensure there is plenty of room for the thyme's roots to spread out. If you can choose a potting soil that is especially for herbs, that is the best, since these types of soil typically have ideal drainage. If you are putting together your soil mix, you can create the right soil by adding sand or perlite to regular potting soil and mixing it really well.