herb · transplant
Thyme: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating thyme a few times a week needs about 84 plants in ~84 sq ft, worth about $168 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$8.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 21 | ~21 sq ft | ~35 | ~$42 |
| 2 people | 42 | ~42 sq ft | ~70 | ~$84 |
| 4 people | 84 | ~84 sq ft | ~140 | ~$168 |
| 6 people | 125 | ~125 sq ft | ~209 | ~$250 |
Spacing
12" in row · 12" between rows
Sow depth
0.125"
Days to harvest
60 from transplant (90 from seed)
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 8 – Jun 26 | — |
| Zone 4 | May 3 – Jun 21 | — |
| Zone 5 | Apr 23 – Jun 11 | — |
| Zone 6 | Apr 13 – Jun 1 | — |
| Zone 7 | Mar 29 – May 17 | — |
| Zone 8 | Mar 18 – May 6 | — |
| Zone 9 | Feb 13 – Apr 3 | — |
| Zone 10 | Jan 24 – Mar 14 | — |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Snip 4 to 5 inch sprigs just before flowering, any time the plant is actively growing.
Yield
About 0.25 lbs per plant over ~20 productive weeks (~0.25 lb).
Watch for
Aphids · Spider mites · Downy & powdery mildew · Japanese beetles, the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with tomato, tomato, cabbage, broccoli.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
101 kcal · 14 g fiber · 160 mg vitamin C · 609 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Thyme cans, freezes, or dries for the pantry. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Thyme planting questions
How many thyme plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 21 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 84 plants, which takes around 84 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does thyme need?+
Space plants 12" apart in the row with 12" between rows. Sow 0.125" deep. Start indoors, transplant out.
When should I plant thyme?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing thyme worth it?+
At about $8.00/lb retail and ~0.25 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $168 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.