How to grow basil
Ocimum basilicum · Lamiaceae · Herb
When to plant basil: the short answer
Start seeds indoors about 5 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out about 2 weeks after it; sow outdoors about 2 weeks after the last frost. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F; basil sprout fastest near 80°F.
Zone 5: plant out May 7 – May 24. Zone 7: plant out Apr 12 – Apr 29. Zone 9: plant out Feb 27 – Mar 16. See every zone.
Basil is a warm-season herb in the Lamiaceae family, grown either from a direct sowing or from transplants. It wants full sun (six or more hours of direct light) and steady, even moisture. From sowing to first pick is about 30–60 days. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed and the soil has warmed.
Grower’s note: Cold soil stalls it - wait for warm nights. Pinch above a leaf pair every couple of weeks and remove flower buds to keep leaves coming. Downy mildew-resistant varieties are worth seeking out.
Sowing
Sow barely covered — the seed needs light to germinate, into soil between 65–90°F — germination is quickest near 80°F. It comes up fast (5–10 days). For an early crop, start seed indoors about 5 weeks before your last spring frost and grow it under bright light.
Spacing & layout
Give each plant about 10″ along the row with roughly 12″ between rows. On a square-foot grid that is 4 per square foot. Allow at least 10″ of loose, workable soil for the roots. It grows well in containers at least 8″ deep.
Fitting it to your season
Basil needs roughly 30–60 frost-free days to crop. Where the season is shorter than that, start it indoors and choose the earliest-maturing varieties, or grow it in a container you can move under cover on cold nights. In long, hot-summer regions it can often be planted twice — once in spring and again in mid-to-late summer for a fall harvest.
Quick facts
Growth stages: how long basil takes to grow
From sowing to first harvest takes roughly 30-60 days (4-9 weeks), with seedlings appearing after 5-10 days in soil around 80°F.
When to plant basil
When to plant basil by USDA zone
Dates worked out from each zone’s typical frost dates for 2026. Find your zone on the zone map, or pick your state below for dates from its own frost dates. Zones 11 and above are frost-free, so timing there depends on heat and rain instead.
| Zone | Last / first frost | Start indoors | Sow or plant out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 / Sep 15 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 8 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 / Sep 25 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 17 – Jun 3 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 / Oct 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 / Oct 15 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 / Oct 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 / Nov 5 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 / Nov 30 | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 / Dec 15 | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 6 – Feb 23 |
Or browse basil planting dates for every state as static pages.
Compare with the other herbs: when to plant herbs, by zone.
Companions
Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Okra
Sage
Common problems
Pests: aphids, Japanese beetle, slugs.
Diseases & disorders: basil downy mildew, fusarium wilt, damping off.
Same family (Lamiaceae)
Rotate these so they don’t follow each other in the same bed year to year.
Questions gardeners ask
When should I plant basil?
Start seeds indoors about 5 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out about 2 weeks after it; sow outdoors about 2 weeks after the last frost. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F. The table on this page gives dates for each USDA zone, and the planting calendar gives dates for your own state or ZIP code.
How long does basil take to grow?
About 30-60 days from sowing to the first harvest. Seeds germinate in 5-10 days, fastest in soil around 80°F.
How much sun does basil need?
It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day.
What soil pH does basil need?
A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Test before adding lime or sulfur - see the soil pH and testing guide.
How far apart should I plant basil?
Space plants about 10 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, or 4 per square foot in a square-foot bed. Sow seeds about ⅛ inch deep.
Can I grow basil in a container?
Yes. Use a container at least 8 inches deep with drainage holes and a good potting mix, and water more often than you would in the ground.
Figures are typical home-garden ranges from Cooperative Extension planting guides, cross-checked against multiple state sources. Your variety and conditions will vary.