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When to Plant Thyme in Kansas

🌱

Start Seeds Indoors

Monday, February 23, 2026

Transplant outdoors: Monday, May 4, 2026

State

Kansas

USDA Zones

6a, 6b, 7a

Avg Last Frost

Monday, April 20, 2026

Cities Covered

626

Kansas Planting Schedule by Zone

Kansas spans 3 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant
6a Monday, April 20, 2026 Monday, February 23, 2026 Monday, May 4, 2026
6b Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Wednesday, April 29, 2026
7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026

Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.

🌿 About Thyme

Scientific Name Thymus vulgaris
Days to Maturity 90 days
Plant Type Ground cover
Sun Full Sun (6+ hours)
Water Low (drought tolerant)
Spacing 12" apart

🤝 Companion Plants for Thyme

Good Companions

CabbageEggplantPotatoStrawberry
See the full companion planting guide for Thyme →

Growing Thyme in Kansas: Complete Guide

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before Kansas's last frost. Most Kansas gardeners begin seeds indoors around Monday, February 23, 2026 and move transplants outside around Monday, May 4, 2026, after the risk of frost has passed.

Because Kansas stretches across 3 USDA hardiness zones (6a, 6b, 7a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 90 days to maturity, Thyme needs the indoor head start that Kansas's growing season requires. Starting indoors ensures you have strong transplants ready the moment outdoor conditions are right.

Thyme requires full sun (6+ hours) and low (drought tolerant) moisture. Most of Kansas receives adequate sunlight during the growing season, though gardeners in humid eastern regions should watch for fungal issues and ensure good air circulation.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Kansas.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Thyme in Kansas?

In Kansas, start Thyme seeds indoors around Monday, February 23, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Monday, May 4, 2026 after your last frost. Kansas spans zones 6a–7a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.

What is the last frost date in Kansas?

Kansas spans 3 USDA zones (6a, 6b, 7a), so last frost dates vary by region. Atchison, Bendena, Cummings (6a) sees frost until around Monday, April 20, 2026, while Kansas City, Fort Scott, Altoona (7a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Thyme take to grow in Kansas?

Thyme takes about 90 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in Kansas gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.

What USDA zones does Kansas cover for Thyme?

Kansas includes zones 6a, 6b, 7a. Thyme grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.

Find Precise Dates for Your City

Select a city for exact planting dates based on local frost records.

Abbyville 6b Abilene 6b Admire 6b Agenda 6a Agra 6a Albert 6b Alden 6b Alexander 6b Allen 6b Alma 6b Almena 6a Alta Vista 6b Altamont 7a Alton 6a Altoona 7a Americus 6b Andale 7a Andover 7a Anthony 7a Arcadia 7a Argonia 7a Arkansas City 7a Arlington 6b Arma 7a Arnold 6a Ashland 6b Assaria 6b Atchison 6a Athol 6a Atlanta 6b Attica 7a Atwood 6a Auburn 6b Augusta 7a Aurora 6b Axtell 6a Baileyville 6a Baldwin City 6b Barnard 6b Barnes 6a Bartlett 7a Basehor 6b Baxter Springs 7a Bazine 6b Beattie 6a Beaumont 7a Beeler 6a Belle Plaine 7a Belleville 6a Beloit 6b Belpre 6b Belvue 6b Bendena 6a Benedict 7a Bennington 6b Bentley 7a Benton 7a Bern 6a Berryton 6b Beverly 6b +566 more cities

Other Plants for Kansas

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

When to Plant Thyme in Other States

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