When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Iowa
Lemon thyme is a low-growing perennial herb with tiny, citrus-scented leaves. It combines the savory quality of thyme with a bright lemon flavor, excellent with fish and poultry.
Iowa spans USDA hardiness zones 5a, 5b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
Find Your County
Click your county for exact Lemon Thyme planting dates based on your local frost dates.
Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.
Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar for Iowa
▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Harvest | July 11 | Jul 11 – Sep 12 |
▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Harvest | July 4 | Jul 4 – Sep 5 |
Growing Tips for Iowa
Start from cuttings or divisions. Plant in well-drained soil. Trim back after flowering. Use as a fragrant ground cover or edging plant along garden paths.
Lemon Thyme in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lemon Thyme in Iowa?
Planting dates for Lemon Thyme in Iowa depend on your USDA zone. Iowa spans zones 5a, 5b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Iowa for planting?
Iowa contains USDA hardiness zones 5a, 5b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.