When to plant basil in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Basil needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant basil in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 12 – Mar 29, with seeds started indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Louisiana: Apr 9 · Apr 30 · May 21 · Jun 11 · Jul 2 · Jul 23 · Aug 13 · Sep 3
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 Louisiana, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Jan 22 – Feb 5). 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 (Mar 12 – Mar 29). 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 Apr 18 – May 18). 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 Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full basil growing guide.
Basil planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 8 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant basil in Louisiana?
Plant basil transplants outdoors in Louisiana between March 12 and March 29. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Louisiana?
Start seeds indoors between January 22 and February 5, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 12.
What is the latest I can plant basil in Louisiana?
About October 16. Basil needs at least 30 days to mature, and frost around November 15 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will basil planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, basil is usually ready from about April 18 to May 18, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.