FrostCal

When to Plant Thyme in Virginia

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 14 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors Apr 11 – Apr 18. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 16 in Newport News and as late as Apr 26 in Radford.

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
Virginia BeachFeb 1 – Feb 15Mar 29 – Apr 5
NorfolkJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
ChesapeakeJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
RichmondFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
ArlingtonFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
Newport NewsJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 16 – Mar 23
AlexandriaFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
East HamptonJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 24 – Mar 31
HamptonJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 24 – Mar 31
RoanokeFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
Portsmouth HeightsJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
PortsmouthJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
SuffolkJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 27 – Apr 3
South SuffolkJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 27 – Apr 3
LynchburgFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
CentrevilleFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
Dale CityJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
West LynchburgFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
RestonFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
HarrisonburgFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
LeesburgFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
McLeanFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
CharlottesvilleFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
TuckahoeFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
BlacksburgFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
AshburnFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
DanvilleFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
ManassasFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
Lake RidgeFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
BurkeFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21

Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 14 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors Apr 11 – Apr 18. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 16 in Newport News and as late as Apr 26 in Radford.

When is the last frost in Virginia?

The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, 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 Virginia

When to plant thyme in other states

Related Guides