Thyme Variegated, also known as Thymus Citriodorus 'Variegated' or Lemon Thyme, is native to Greenland, temperate Euroasia, and Northeast Africa. This plant has a compact habit of 6" tall and just 8" wide. Pink flowers bloom in summer on the variegated foliage, which has a bold lemon scent. Hardy in zone 6-10, Thyme Variegated offers outstanding contrast in mixed containers and small borders and landscapes. It requires little more than occasional water and a sunny location with well-drained soil to thrive. For a Common Thyme variety, try Thyme Faustinoi. For a Lemon Thyme variety well-suited for culinary use, try Thyme Lemonade.
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Thyme Variegated Selling Tips
Sell Thyme Variegated to customers looking for an aromatic container or small landscape plant. Thyme Variegated has many benefits to offer your customer. Variegated foliage has a bold lemon scent with a compact, ground-covering habit that elevates mixed containers, borders, and landscape beds. Perennial in zone 6-10, this plant has pink flowers that bloom in summer. Thyme Variegated is drought-tolerant, resistant to deer and rabbits, attractive to pollinators, and flourishes in light, well-drained soil with full sun and only occasional watering.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 12-14 inches apart in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Water occasionally or less in wet weather.
2. Trim foliage when it begins to get leggy.
3. Harvest leaves for culinary use just before flowering for the best flavor. Use foliage fresh or dry it for continued use.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Thyme Variegated, use well-drained soil in full sun with a constant liquid feed program on well-rooted plants of 150-200 ppm N and a pH of 6.5-7.5. Plant one rooted liner per 4-inch container and pinch once after transplanting. Thyme doesn't attract pests, but take precautions against root rot.
Flowering
Pink flowers bloom in summer.
Pinching
Pinch once after transplanting.
Spacing
Space 4-inch containers as needed to allow airflow and penetration of light between plants. Thyme Variegated can grow to a 8" spread. We do not recommend planting rooted plugs in 1801 or other traditional market trays as they tend to get leggy and can develop fungus when they have insufficient space.
Height Control
We do not recommend using chemical growth regulators on herbs.
Pests
This plant isn't prone to pests.
Disease
Thyme Variegated isn't disease prone but avoid oversaturating the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil at length, you could end up with root rot or botrytis. Botrytis grey rot tends to occur in wet or humid conditions. Take these steps to prevent botrytis: water in the morning and allow the plant to dry out between waterings; provide good airflow in your greenhouse; space plants so the sun can penetrate to the soil level. To best fight root rot in herbs, use a garden-safe fungicide, like Neem Oil.
Planting Thyme Variegated Liners
We recommend planting one rooted plug per 4-inch container. Use light, well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepot in the center of the pot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Herb Thyme Variegated Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 4-6 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Summer |
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| Color | Pink |
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| Habit | Compact, Spreading |
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| Height | 6 inches |
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| Light | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
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| Minimum Temp | 54 |
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| Perennial Zone | 6-10 |
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| Water Needs | Light |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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