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When to Plant Thyme in Tennessee

🌱

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Transplant outdoors: Sunday, April 19, 2026

State

Tennessee

USDA Zones

6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Avg Last Frost

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Cities Covered

548

Tennessee Planting Schedule by Zone

Tennessee spans 4 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant
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
7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
8a Friday, March 20, 2026 Friday, January 23, 2026 Friday, April 3, 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 Tennessee: Complete Guide

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before Tennessee's last frost. Most Tennessee gardeners begin seeds indoors around Sunday, February 8, 2026 and move transplants outside around Sunday, April 19, 2026, after the risk of frost has passed.

Because Tennessee stretches across 4 USDA hardiness zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), 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 Tennessee'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. Southeastern summers are hot and humid; mulch heavily to retain moisture and shade roots during peak heat.

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 Tennessee.

Growing Thyme in Tennessee: Local Tips

Climate-specific advice for Tennessee gardeners.

Grow as a cool-season annual in the deep South

In Zones 8–9, thyme planted in fall (October–November) grows through winter and spring, then often declines in the summer heat and humidity; replace annually or treat as a perennial only in zones 6–7.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Thyme in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, start Thyme seeds indoors around Sunday, February 8, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Sunday, April 19, 2026 after your last frost. Tennessee spans zones 6b–8a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.

What is the last frost date in Tennessee?

Tennessee spans 4 USDA zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), so last frost dates vary by region. Roan Mountain (6b) sees frost until around Wednesday, April 15, 2026, while Apison, Collegedale, Conasauga (8a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Thyme take to grow in Tennessee?

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

What USDA zones does Tennessee cover for Thyme?

Tennessee includes zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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.

When to Plant Thyme by City in Tennessee

Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.

City Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant
Adams 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Adamsville 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Afton 7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
Alamo 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Alcoa 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Alexandria 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Allardt 7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
Allons 7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
Allred 7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
Alpine 7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
Altamont 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Andersonville 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Antioch 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Apison 8a Friday, March 20, 2026 Friday, January 23, 2026 Friday, April 3, 2026
Ardmore 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Arlington 8a Friday, March 20, 2026 Friday, January 23, 2026 Friday, April 3, 2026
Arnold Afb 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Arrington 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Arthur 7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
Ashland City 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Athens 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Atoka 8a Friday, March 20, 2026 Friday, January 23, 2026 Friday, April 3, 2026
Atwood 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Auburntown 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bakewell 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bath Springs 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Baxter 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bean Station 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Beech Bluff 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Beechgrove 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Beersheba Springs 7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
Belfast 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bell Buckle 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bells 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Belvidere 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Benton 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bethel Springs 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bethpage 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Big Rock 7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
Big Sandy 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Birchwood 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Blaine 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bloomington Springs 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Blountville 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bluff City 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bogota 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bolivar 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bon Aqua 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Braden 8a Friday, March 20, 2026 Friday, January 23, 2026 Friday, April 3, 2026
Bradford 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Bradyville 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Brentwood 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Briceville 7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
Brighton 8a Friday, March 20, 2026 Friday, January 23, 2026 Friday, April 3, 2026
Bristol 7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 Friday, April 24, 2026
Brownsville 8a Friday, March 20, 2026 Friday, January 23, 2026 Friday, April 3, 2026
Bruceton 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Brunswick 8a Friday, March 20, 2026 Friday, January 23, 2026 Friday, April 3, 2026
Brush Creek 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026
Buchanan 7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, February 8, 2026 Sunday, April 19, 2026

Showing 60 of 548 cities. Enter your ZIP on the planting calendar for your exact dates.

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