When to Plant Thyme in Indiana

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in Evansville and as late as May 2 in Auburn.

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
IndianapolisFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
Fort WayneFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
EvansvilleFeb 1 – Feb 15Mar 29 – Apr 5
South BendFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
CarmelFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
BloomingtonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
HammondFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
GaryFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
FishersFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
LafayetteMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
MuncieFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
Terre HauteFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
NoblesvilleFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
KokomoMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 27 – May 4
GreenwoodFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
AndersonFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
ElkhartMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
MishawakaFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
LawrenceFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
JeffersonvilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
ColumbusFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
West LafayetteMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
PortageFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
WestfieldFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
New AlbanyFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
RichmondFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
MerrillvilleFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
GoshenMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
ValparaisoFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Michigan CityFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26

Showing the 30 most populous of 88 Indiana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Indiana cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in Indiana?

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in Evansville and as late as May 2 in Auburn.

When is the last frost in Indiana?

The average last spring frost in Indiana ranges from March 29 in Evansville to May 2 in Auburn, 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 Indiana

When to plant thyme in other states

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