Growing Calendar

MenuClose

HomeAboutSearch

When to Plant Basil

Plant basil outdoors 1-2 weeks after your last spring frost, when nights stay above 50-55°F and the soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Start seed indoors 4-6 weeks before that date. In frost-free areas such as Florida and the low desert, plant in early spring and again in late summer or fall instead.

Your dates for basil

Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant basil where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.

Enter your ZIP code

Basil planting dates by zone

JFMAMJJASOND Zone 4b Zone 5b Zone 6b Zone 7b Zone 8b Zone 9a
Start indoorsPlant out or sowFirst harvestDates use each zone's typical frost dates. Enter your ZIP code for your own.
Dates from each zone's typical (median) frost dates. Select a zone for the full schedule.
ZoneStart indoorsPlant outSow outdoors
Zone 2aApr 29 to May 13Jun 17 to 24Jun 17 to 24
Zone 3aApr 23 to May 7Jun 11 to 18Jun 11 to 18
Zone 3bApr 20 to May 4Jun 8 to 15Jun 8 to 15
Zone 4aApr 14 to 28Jun 2 to 9Jun 2 to 9
Zone 4bApr 9 to 23May 28 to Jun 4May 28 to Jun 4
Zone 5aApr 4 to 18May 23 to 30May 23 to 30
Zone 5bApr 4 to 18May 23 to 30May 23 to 30
Zone 6aMar 31 to Apr 14May 19 to 26May 19 to 26
Zone 6bMar 24 to Apr 7May 12 to 19May 12 to 19
Zone 7aMar 17 to 31May 5 to 12May 5 to 12
Zone 7bMar 8 to 22Apr 26 to May 3Apr 26 to May 3
Zone 8aFeb 22 to Mar 8Apr 12 to 19Apr 12 to 19
Zone 8bFeb 10 to 24Mar 31 to Apr 7Mar 31 to Apr 7
Zone 9aJan 24 to Feb 7Mar 14 to 21Mar 14 to 21
Zone 9bJan 18 to Feb 1Mar 8 to 15Mar 8 to 15

The temperatures that matter

The frost date is only the starting line for basil. Frost kills it, but cool weather well above freezing also does damage: Illinois Extension notes that cold soil and air stunt basil and can blacken leaves at about 50°F. That is why the dates for your zone above place outdoor planting 1-2 weeks after the average last frost rather than on it.

Use these thresholds to decide when to plant out:

  • Night temperatures: consistently above 50°F (Clemson) or 55°F (UF/IFAS).
  • Soil temperature: at least 60°F at planting depth (Illinois). A soil thermometer takes the guesswork out of it.
  • Daytime highs: Clemson waits until they are consistently in the 70s.

If your forecast shows a run of 40s at night after you planted, cover plants overnight with an inverted pot, bucket or pine straw and remove the cover the next day (Clemson).

Starting seed indoors

Count back from your planned outdoor planting date, not the frost date. Clemson and Utah State allow 4-6 weeks for transplants to reach size, and Illinois says 3-4 weeks. Seed germinates best warm: at least 70°F according to Illinois, with Utah State giving 75-85°F as ideal. In a cool room, a heat mat makes a bigger difference than an earlier start.

Sowing directly outdoors

Direct-sown basil goes in at the same time as transplants, after frost and once the soil is warm. Seed germinates best warm, and seedlings in cold soil grow slowly, so there is nothing to gain by sowing early. Utah State notes seed takes 10-14 days to sprout once the soil is warm and moist. Expect a later first harvest than from transplants: University of Arizona’s Maricopa County calendar gives 60-75 days from seed against about 30 days from transplants.

Planting again through summer

Basil is planted for summer in frost areas, not for fall, but you can keep planting through early summer. Illinois and Utah State both suggest sowing every 2 weeks. Older plants decline once they flower, and Utah State points out that heat and water stress push them to flower sooner, so a fresh batch every few weeks keeps leaves coming until frost. Maryland says leaves can be picked about 6 weeks after planting, so keep planting outdoors as long as at least 6 weeks of warm weather remain before your average first fall frost.

After that, plant indoors. Illinois sows a few seeds in a small pot in a sunny window every 2 weeks for fall, winter and early-spring harvests, with picking starting in about 4-5 weeks. Before the first fall frost, Clemson suggests cutting plants back and potting up a root system to keep growing indoors.

Regional timing

Cold north and mountain West. In Utah, Utah State plants basil after frost in mid to late May. Short seasons make transplants worth the effort here.

Humid Southeast and Florida. UF/IFAS recommends planting in early spring or in fall in Florida. Its Central Florida (Osceola County) calendar marks February, March, April, September and October. Midsummer plantings face peak heat and downy mildew pressure.

Desert Southwest. University of Arizona calendars vary by city. Maricopa County (Phoenix) shows seed from mid-February and seed or transplants from March through May, Yuma County lists basil year-round, and the Tucson herb guide lists May-June. Spring planting lets plants establish before summer heat; give them afternoon shade once temperatures climb.

Hawaii. CTAHR says basil grows year-round below about 700 feet and from May to October at higher elevations.

Where frost is rare

Where frost is rare, basil has two seasons: early spring, and late summer into fall. It struggles in the hottest desert months. In Florida, downy mildew is the main threat, so grow resistant varieties. In frost-free lowland Hawaii, it can be planted all year.

ZonePlanting months in Extension guides
Zone 9Feb-Apr, Sep-Oct
Zone 10Feb-May
Zone 11Year-round

Based on zone_9: UF/IFAS Osceola County herb calendar (Central Florida) marks Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep and Oct. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says to plant in early spring or fall. UA Tucson (az2061) lists May-June instead. zone_10: UA Maricopa County calendar (az1005, Phoenix) shows seed from mid-February and seed or transplants from March through May. UA Yuma County calendar (az1615) lists basil as plantable year-round. zone_11: UH CTAHR says basil grows year-round in Hawaii below about 700 ft elevation, and only May-October higher up. Zones are approximate, based on each area's location. Basil is not in the VH021 vegetable table. Warm-winter areas are matched to zones approximately, so use the months for your region.

How to grow basilYour full planting calendar

Questions

Can I plant basil on my last frost date?

It is better to wait 1-2 weeks. Basil is not just frost-tender; cold soil and nights below about 50°F stunt it and can blacken the leaves, so plants set out early often end up smaller than ones planted later.

How early should I start basil seeds indoors?

About 4-6 weeks before you plan to plant outside, according to Clemson and Utah State. Illinois finds 3-4 weeks is enough, so if your seedlings grow quickly under lights, use the shorter time.

Is it too late to plant basil in July?

In most frost areas, no. Basil can be picked about 6 weeks after planting, so a July sowing or transplant gives a good harvest before fall frost. Utah State recommends sowing every other week anyway, to replace plants that start flowering.

When do you plant basil in Florida?

UF/IFAS recommends early spring or fall. Its Central Florida herb calendar marks February through April and September through October, and spring plantings should wait until nights stay above 55°F.

Sources