Overwintering guide
How to overwinter creeping lemon thyme
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills creeping lemon thyme in winter
Cutting creeping lemon thyme hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More creeping lemon thyme care
- Overwintering lemon thyme — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full creeping lemon thyme care guide
- Creeping Lemon Thyme temperature range
- How often to water creeping lemon thyme
- How to prune creeping lemon thyme
- Common creeping lemon thyme problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering creeping lemon thyme — FAQ
Does creeping lemon thyme need to come indoors for winter?
Creeping Lemon Thyme is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Creeping Lemon Thyme is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move creeping lemon thyme for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water creeping lemon thyme in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills creeping lemon thyme over winter?
Cutting creeping lemon thyme hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.