🌿 When to Plant Thyme

🌿 Herb
Cool Season

Perennial in zones 5+; drought-tolerant once established

📅 Planting Calendar by USDA Zone

Select your zone to highlight your exact planting dates. Dates are calculated from each zone's average frost dates.

Find my zone
Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant Direct Sow
Zone 2A May 30 Apr 4 May 30 May 30
Zone 3B May 15 Mar 20 May 15 May 15
Zone 4A May 8 Mar 13 May 8 May 8
Zone 4B May 1 Mar 6 May 1 May 1
Zone 5A Apr 25 Feb 28 Apr 25 Apr 25
Zone 5B Apr 18 Feb 21 Apr 18 Apr 18
Zone 6A Apr 21 Feb 24 Apr 21 Apr 21
Zone 6B Apr 10 Feb 13 Apr 10 Apr 10
Zone 7A Apr 5 Feb 8 Apr 5 Apr 5
Zone 7B Mar 28 Jan 31 Mar 28 Mar 28
Zone 8A Mar 20 Jan 23 Mar 20 Mar 20
Zone 8B Mar 12 Jan 15 Mar 12 Mar 12
Zone 9A Feb 28 Jan 3 Feb 28 Feb 28
Zone 9B Feb 15 Dec 21 Feb 15 Feb 15
Zone 10A Feb 1 Dec 7 Feb 1 Feb 1
Zone 10B Jan 15 Nov 20 Jan 15 Jan 15
Zone 11A Jan 1 Nov 6 Jan 1 Jan 1

Thyme is a low-growing perennial herb perfect for borders, rock gardens, and containers.

Top Growing Tips

  • Perennial in zones 5-9 — very cold-hardy
  • Needs well-drained soil and full sun
  • Don’t overwater — thyme prefers dry conditions
  • Trim after flowering to keep plants compact
  • Creeping varieties make excellent ground covers

Companion Planting

Good companions: cabbage, potatoes, strawberries, eggplant

Avoid planting near: none in particular

Harvest Timeline

Snip sprigs anytime; best flavor just before flowering