Thyme Planting Guide

Thyme is a low-growing perennial herb with tiny, aromatic leaves and a warm, earthy flavor. It is one of the most versatile culinary and medicinal herbs.

Thymus vulgaris · Herb · Lamiaceae family · 70–90 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Thyme Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Thyme?

Zone Compatibility for Thyme Zones 4a – 9b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 4a	—	—	May 13	Jul 22 – Sep 23
Zone 4b	—	—	May 8	Jul 17 – Sep 18
Zone 5a	—	—	May 2	Jul 11 – Sep 12
Zone 5b	—	—	Apr 25	Jul 4 – Sep 5
Zone 6a	—	—	Apr 17	Jun 26 – Aug 28
Zone 6b	—	—	Apr 10	Jun 19 – Aug 21
Zone 7a	—	—	Apr 1	Jun 10 – Aug 12
Zone 7b	—	—	Mar 25	Jun 3 – Aug 5
Zone 8a	—	—	Mar 15	May 24 – Jul 26
Zone 8b	—	—	Mar 4	May 13 – Jul 15
Zone 9a	—	—	Feb 17	Apr 28 – Jun 30
Zone 9b	—	—	Feb 1	Apr 12 – Jun 14

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Thyme is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Direct Sow shows "—" because Thyme benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.

How to Plant Thyme

0.5"

Planting Depth

Between Plants

12"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.3"/week

Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 8

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 4a – 9b

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Lamiaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Lamiaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Thyme

Thyme matures in just 70–90 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 8 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Thyme

✅ Good Companions

Tomatoes Eggplant Rosemary Cabbage

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Thyme

Start from seed, cuttings, or divisions. Plant in well-drained, lean soil. Prune lightly after flowering. Replace plants every 3-4 years when they become woody.

💧 Watering: Thyme needs approximately 0.3 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.

Saving Thyme Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🪴

Fabric Grow Bags $10-25

Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.

🏺

Self-Watering Planters $15-40

Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

Level Up Your Garden

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Learn when to harvest, how to dry, and how to store seeds from 200 plants. Never buy seeds again.

Learn More →

Thyme by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Thyme?

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) takes 70 to 90 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Thyme grow in?

Thyme can be grown in USDA zones 4a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Thyme need?

Growing Thyme requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6 to 8.

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