When to plant basil in South Carolina
South Carolina’s average last spring frost is March 25, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 225 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Basil needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within South Carolina's growing season.
When to plant basil in South Carolina: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 1 – Apr 18, with seeds started indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in South Carolina: Apr 29 · May 20 · Jun 10 · Jul 1 · Jul 22 · Aug 12 · Sep 2
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 South Carolina, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 11 – Feb 25). 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 (Apr 1 – Apr 18). 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 May 8 – Jun 7). 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 South Carolina’s average frost dates. More in the full basil growing guide.
Basil planting dates by USDA zone in South Carolina
South Carolina spans USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (this page) | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Tennessee | April 10 | Apr 17 – May 4 |
| Kentucky | April 18 | Apr 25 – May 12 |
Questions gardeners in South Carolina ask
When is the best time to plant basil in South Carolina?
Plant basil transplants outdoors in South Carolina between April 1 and April 18. That timing is set by South Carolina's average last spring frost of March 25.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in South Carolina?
Start seeds indoors between February 11 and February 25, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 1.
What is the latest I can plant basil in South Carolina?
About October 6. Basil needs at least 30 days to mature, and frost around November 5 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will basil planted in South Carolina be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, basil is usually ready from about May 8 to June 7, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in South Carolina?
On average around March 25, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 225 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.