Garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a small perennial shrub that may vary widely in appearance depending upon the soil and climatic conditions it is growing under. Generally this variety of thyme is stiff and bushy in appearance with many thin, erect, stalks no higher than 30 cm, that are covered by pairs of small, narrow, elliptical gray-green leaves, sometimes reddish-rust colored on the underside, and from 5-10 mm long. Thyme leaves are curled, elliptically shaped and very small, measuring about 5-10 mm long. The upper leaf is green-grey in color on top, while the underside is a whitish color. Lemon thyme is a smaller plant of similar structure that only grows to 15 cm tall. Its leaves are greener than those of garden thyme and although less pungent in flavor, have a particularly appealing lemon tang. Thyme is best cultivated in a hot sunny location with well drained soil. It is generally planted in the spring and thereafter grows as a perennial. It can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or by dividing rooted sections of the plant. It tolerates drought well.