When to Plant Thyme in Los Angeles, California (90077)

Location

Los Angeles, California

ZIP Code

90077

USDA Zone

10b

Last Frost

Thursday, January 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Transplant Outdoors

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Based on last frost Thursday, January 15, 2026 · Zone 10b

Pro tip: Start Thyme seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Thursday, January 29, 2026.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Thymus vulgaris

Days to Maturity 90 days

Mature Height 6-12"

Spread 12"

Type Ground cover

Fruit Size N/A

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6+ hours)

💧

Water

Low (drought tolerant)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.125" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 14-21 days

Ready to Plant Thyme in Los Angeles?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Thursday, November 20, 2025.

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🤝 Good Companions

CabbageEggplantPotatoStrawberry

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Thyme

See which plants help Thyme thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Thyme Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Common Thyme

species

Classic culinary thyme with small, fragrant leaves; essential in French cooking.

Lemon Thyme

cultivar

Bright citrus-scented thyme with golden-edged leaves; lovely in fish dishes and teas.

Creeping Thyme

species

Low-growing groundcover thyme with dense mats of tiny flowers; great between pavers.

French Thyme

cultivar

Broader-leaved variety with milder, sweeter flavor preferred in Provençal cooking.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Harvest tiny seed pods when brown and dry — just before they shatter.

Processing

Strip dried stems over a fine mesh, dry extra 2 days, store in small envelopes. Seeds are very tiny.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Thyme seeds can vary in flavor intensity. Propagate from stem cuttings to preserve culinary quality.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Thyme. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Thyme in Los Angeles, California? +

In Los Angeles (Zone 10b), start Thyme seeds indoors around Thursday, November 20, 2025 and transplant outdoors around Thursday, January 29, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Los Angeles, California? +

The average last spring frost date for Los Angeles, California (ZIP 90077) is around Thursday, January 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 10b.

How long does Thyme take to grow? +

Thyme typically matures in about 90 days from transplanting. In Los Angeles, that means you can expect harvest around Thursday, January 29, 2026 plus 90 days.

Should I start Thyme indoors or direct sow in California? +

Thyme should be started indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date. In Los Angeles, that means starting around Thursday, November 20, 2025.

📚 More Thyme Planting Guides

🗺️

Thyme in California

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 10b Thyme Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Thyme in Zone 10b

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a popular garden vegetable. In Los Angeles, California, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b, you should start seeds indoors around Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Your average last frost date is Thursday, January 15, 2026. Plan to transplant your Thyme seedlings outdoors around Thursday, January 29, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.