FrostCal

When to Plant Thyme in California

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Nov 21 – Dec 5, then transplant outdoors Jan 16 – Jan 23. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Dec 29 in San Mateo and as late as May 27 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 85–95 days

Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Thyme Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
Los AngelesFrost-free: year-round planting
San DiegoFrost-free: year-round planting
San JoseNov 7 – Nov 21Jan 2 – Jan 9
San FranciscoFrost-free: year-round planting
FresnoNov 19 – Dec 3Jan 14 – Jan 21
SacramentoNov 17 – Dec 1Jan 12 – Jan 19
Long BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
OaklandFrost-free: year-round planting
BakersfieldDec 6 – Dec 20Jan 31 – Feb 7
AnaheimFrost-free: year-round planting
RiversideNov 14 – Nov 28Jan 9 – Jan 16
Santa AnaFrost-free: year-round planting
StocktonDec 11 – Dec 25Feb 5 – Feb 12
Chula VistaFrost-free: year-round planting
IrvineFrost-free: year-round planting
FremontNov 12 – Nov 26Jan 7 – Jan 14
San BernardinoDec 2 – Dec 16Jan 27 – Feb 3
FontanaNov 15 – Nov 29Jan 10 – Jan 17
ModestoDec 6 – Dec 20Jan 31 – Feb 7
OxnardFrost-free: year-round planting
Moreno ValleyDec 2 – Dec 16Jan 27 – Feb 3
Huntington BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
GlendaleNov 7 – Nov 21Jan 2 – Jan 9
Santa ClaritaNov 13 – Nov 27Jan 8 – Jan 15
Santa RosaDec 31 – Jan 14Feb 25 – Mar 4
OceansideFrost-free: year-round planting
Garden GroveFrost-free: year-round planting
Rancho CucamongaNov 9 – Nov 23Jan 4 – Jan 11
OntarioNov 9 – Nov 23Jan 4 – Jan 11
Elk GroveDec 8 – Dec 22Feb 2 – Feb 9

Showing the 30 most populous of 530 California cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all California cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in California?

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Nov 21 – Dec 5, then transplant outdoors Jan 16 – Jan 23. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Dec 29 in San Mateo and as late as May 27 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

When is the last frost in California?

The average last spring frost in California ranges from January 1 in Palm Springs to December 31 in Sunland, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do thyme take to grow?

Thyme typically take 85–95 days from planting to harvest. Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Other Crops in California

When to plant thyme in other states

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