From my perspective as a plant, the most fundamental difference between us lies in our tolerance for cold. I, English Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), am the most robust of the three. I am a hardy perennial, thriving in zones 5 through 9. I can withstand frost and colder winters, going dormant and returning with vigor in the spring. My cousin, French Thyme, is often considered a sub-type of me; we are very similar, though some humans say my leaves are slightly rounder and my flavor stronger. Our care in this regard is identical: we demand well-draining soil and plenty of sun, and we despise wet, cold feet which will surely lead to our demise.
My growth is woody, upright, and shrub-like. I form a small, bushy plant that can become leggy at the base if not trimmed regularly. French Thyme grows in a very similar fashion. In stark contrast, our relative Lemon Thyme (Thymus citriodorus) has a distinctly different demeanor. She is more of a creeper or sprawler. While she can bush out, her stems often trail along the ground and can even root where they touch the soil, making her an excellent candidate for filling spaces in a garden path or spilling gracefully over the edge of a container. This trailing nature means her care sometimes involves gentle guidance or trimming to keep her in her desired place.
We all share a core need for abundant sunlight—at least six to eight hours of direct sun daily. Without it, we become leggy, weak, and our essential oil production, which is the source of our wonderful aromas, diminishes significantly. Where our care diverges slightly is in our relationship with water. English and French Thyme are exceptionally drought-tolerant once established. We prefer our soil to dry out completely between deep waterings. Overwatering is a death sentence for us. Lemon Thyme, while also drought-tolerant, is a touch more forgiving. She appreciates slightly more consistent moisture, especially in extremely hot climates, though her soil must still be well-draining. She will not tolerate sogginess any more than we will.
This is the most notable difference humans perceive. My scent and flavor, along with that of French Thyme, is the classic, robust, earthy thyme essence that is essential in so many cuisines. French Thyme is sometimes described as being slightly more subtle. Lemon Thyme, however, is a entirely different experience. Her leaves contain citral, the same compound found in lemon grass, which gives her a bright, citrusy aroma and flavor. This makes her care after harvest a bit different; she is often used fresh in teas, with fish, or in desserts where her lemon note can shine, whereas English and French Thyme are often dried for long-term storage and used in hearty, savory dishes.
