Zone 10 · Herbs Growing Guide

When to Plant Thyme
in Zone 10

Drought-tolerant perennial that thrives on neglect. Perfect border plant. Harvest before flowering for strongest flavour. Woody perennial — prune to prevent legginess.

Plant outdoors
Year-round
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~Jan 15
Days to harvest
60–90 days
Difficulty
Easy
Ready to harvest — Zone 10
Harvest window: Year-round

Planting Calendar

In Zone 10, Thyme should be planted outdoors Year-round, after the average last frost date of approximately Jan 15.

Perennial year-round. Drought-tolerant once established. Very low maintenance.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun · 6–8 hrs/day
Watering
Low
Spacing
12–18 inches
Soil
Sandy, well-draining, low fertility
Days to maturity
60–90 days
Soil pH
6.0–8.0
plant tip · Zone 10

Perennial year-round. Drought-tolerant once established. Very low maintenance.

Feeding Schedule

How often
once a season
Feed type
balanced (10-10-10)
Key timing
early spring

Light feeder — excess feeding reduces aromatic oils. One light feed in spring when growth begins is all that's needed.

Companion Planting for Thyme

What you plant next to thyme makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Brassicas
  • Tomatoes
  • Eggplant
  • Strawberries
Keep away from
  • Basil
  • Mint

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Common questions

In Zone 10, direct sow thyme outdoors Year-round after your last frost date of approximately Jan 15. Perennial year-round. Drought-tolerant once established. Very low maintenance.
Zone 10 has an average last spring frost of approximately Jan 15 and a first fall frost around Dec 31. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for thyme include Brassicas, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Strawberries. Avoid planting near Basil, Mint, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Thyme typically takes 60–90 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 10. Expected harvest window: Year-round.

Free app · iOS February 2028

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Thyme in other zones
Crop Guides