FrostCal

When to Plant Thyme in South Carolina

In a typical South Carolina location, start seeds indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8, then transplant outdoors Mar 22 – Mar 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 4 in Charleston and as late as Apr 20 in Gaffney.

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
ColumbiaJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 16 – Mar 23
CharlestonDec 10 – Dec 24Feb 4 – Feb 11
North CharlestonJan 10 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
Mount PleasantJan 16 – Jan 30Mar 13 – Mar 20
Rock HillJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 27 – Apr 3
GreenvilleJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
SummervilleJan 25 – Feb 8Mar 22 – Mar 29
SumterJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 24 – Mar 31
Goose CreekJan 10 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
Hilton Head IslandJan 6 – Jan 20Mar 3 – Mar 10
FlorenceJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 19 – Mar 26
SpartanburgFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
Hilton HeadJan 6 – Jan 20Mar 3 – Mar 10
Myrtle BeachJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 21 – Mar 28
AikenJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 19 – Mar 26
GreerJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
AndersonJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
MauldinJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
GreenwoodJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
North AugustaJan 2 – Jan 16Feb 27 – Mar 6
TaylorsJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
Saint AndrewsJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 16 – Mar 23
ConwayJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 15 – Mar 22
EasleyFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 1 – Apr 8
SimpsonvilleFeb 1 – Feb 15Mar 29 – Apr 5
Wade HamptonJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 16 – Mar 23
LexingtonJan 28 – Feb 11Mar 25 – Apr 1
SocasteeJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 15 – Mar 22
HanahanJan 10 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
BlufftonJan 6 – Jan 20Mar 3 – Mar 10

Showing the 30 most populous of 58 South Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all South Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in South Carolina?

In a typical South Carolina location, start seeds indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8, then transplant outdoors Mar 22 – Mar 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 4 in Charleston and as late as Apr 20 in Gaffney.

When is the last frost in South Carolina?

The average last spring frost in South Carolina ranges from February 4 in Charleston to April 20 in Gaffney, 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 South Carolina

When to plant thyme in other states

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