When to plant basil in Florida
Florida’s average last spring frost is February 12, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 10 — about 301 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a). Basil needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Florida's growing season.
Florida covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant basil in Florida: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Feb 19 – Mar 8, with seeds started indoors Jan 1 – Jan 15. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Florida: Mar 19 · Apr 9 · Apr 30 · May 21 · Jun 11 · Jul 2 · Jul 23 · Aug 13
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow basil in Florida, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Jan 1 – Jan 15). Sow seeds ⅛ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 80°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 10 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Feb 19 – Mar 8). Space plants about 10 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, Japanese beetle, slugs. Diseases and disorders: basil downy mildew, fusarium wilt, damping off.
- Harvest (from about Mar 28 – Apr 27). Basil takes 30-60 days to reach harvest. 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.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Florida’s average frost dates. More in the full basil growing guide.
Basil planting dates by USDA zone in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the basil dates shift with them.
When to plant basil in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (this page) | February 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 8 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
Questions gardeners in Florida ask
When is the best time to plant basil in Florida?
Plant basil transplants outdoors in Florida between February 19 and March 8. That timing is set by Florida's average last spring frost of February 12; Florida spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Florida?
Start seeds indoors between January 1 and January 15, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from February 19.
What is the latest I can plant basil in Florida?
About November 10. Basil needs at least 30 days to mature, and frost around December 10 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will basil planted in Florida be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, basil is usually ready from about March 28 to April 27, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Florida?
On average around February 12, with the first fall frost around December 10 - about 301 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.