When to plant basil
Basil is frost-tender, so start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost; transplant 2–3 weeks after it. Plant when the soil is at least 65°F.
Basil dates for Columbus, Ohio (example)
Example dates. Enter your ZIP above for your own.
| Start indoors | Mar 9–23 |
|---|---|
| Transplant outside | May 4–11 |
| Sow outdoors | May 4–11 |
| Last planting for a harvest before frost | Aug 15 |
| Soil temperature | 65°F or warmer |
| Days to harvest | 60–70 |
| Spacing | 12 in apart |
Your basil year
- Start indoors
- Transplant outside
- Sow outdoors
Average last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 24.
Growing tips for basil
- Basil is damaged by temperatures below about 40°F, well above freezing.
- Pinch the tips above a leaf pair to keep plants bushy and delay flowering.
- Harvest heavily before the first fall frost; one cold night blackens it.
Work out indoor sowing for everything at once with the seed starting calculator.
When to plant basil in major cities
Calculated from each city's NOAA 1991–2020 average frost dates.
| City | Zone | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 7b | Apr 13–20 |
| Chicago, IL | 6b | Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 10b | Feb 8–15 |
| Houston, TX | 9b | Feb 16–23 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 10a | Jan 19–26 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7b | Apr 13–20 |
| Dallas, TX | 8b | Mar 16–23 |
| Atlanta, GA | 8a | Apr 7–14 |
| Seattle, WA | 9a | Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
| Denver, CO | 6a | May 14–21 |
| Boston, MA | 7a | Apr 18–25 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 5a | May 7–14 |
| Kansas City, MO | 6b | Apr 18–25 |
| Nashville, TN | 7b | Apr 15–22 |
| Portland, OR | 9a | Mar 11–18 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 7b | Apr 14–21 |
| Columbus, OH | 6b | May 4–11 |
| Charlotte, NC | 8a | Apr 13–20 |
| Detroit, MI | 6b | May 5–12 |
| Raleigh, NC | 8a | Apr 11–18 |
Basil planting FAQ
When should I plant basil?
Basil is frost-tender, so start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost; transplant 2–3 weeks after it. Plant when the soil is at least 65°F.
How many days until basil is ready to harvest?
Most basil varieties take about 60–70 days from sowing. Check the seed packet: early varieties are at the low end.
Can basil survive frost?
No. Basil is damaged or killed by a 32°F frost, so wait until after your last frost and cover plants if a late frost is forecast.
How far apart should I plant basil?
Space basil 12 in apart.
What is the last date I can plant basil?
Count the variety's days to maturity back from your first fall frost. Enter your ZIP code on this page and Seasonwise calculates the date for you.
Ask about growing basil
Enter your ZIP above first and answers will use your local frost dates. Written by an AI model; double-check anything important.