FrostCal

When to Plant Thyme in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17, then transplant outdoors Mar 31 – Apr 7. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 18 in Morehead City and as late as May 2 in Boone.

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
CharlotteFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
RaleighJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
GreensboroFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 1 – Apr 8
DurhamFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
Winston-SalemJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
FayettevilleFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
CaryJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
WilmingtonJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 19 – Mar 26
High PointFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
AshevilleFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
GreenvilleJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 27 – Apr 3
ConcordFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 1 – Apr 8
GastoniaJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 27 – Apr 3
JacksonvilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
Chapel HillFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
Rocky MountFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
HuntersvilleFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
BurlingtonFeb 1 – Feb 15Mar 29 – Apr 5
WilsonJan 25 – Feb 8Mar 22 – Mar 29
KannapolisFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 1 – Apr 8
ApexJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 27 – Apr 3
HickoryFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
Wake ForestFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
Indian TrailFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
MooresvilleFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
GoldsboroJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
MonroeFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
SalisburyFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
Holly SpringsFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
MatthewsFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7

Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17, then transplant outdoors Mar 31 – Apr 7. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 18 in Morehead City and as late as May 2 in Boone.

When is the last frost in North Carolina?

The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, 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 North Carolina

When to plant thyme in other states

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