Basil Planting Guide — All Zones
Ocimum basilicum
Last updated: May 15, 2026Quick Facts
Sunlight
☀️ Full Sun
Water Needs
💧💧 Moderate
Spacing
12 inches apart
Planting Depth
0.25 inch
Min Soil Temp
60°F
Germination
5–10 days
Days to Maturity
50–75 days
Frost Tolerance
No frost tolerance
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Schedule by Zone
Select your USDA zone below for a detailed guide with tips specific to your region.
Zone 3Zone 3aZone 3bZone 4Zone 4aZone 4bZone 5Zone 5aZone 5bZone 6Zone 6aZone 6bZone 7Zone 7aZone 7bZone 8Zone 8aZone 8bZone 9Zone 9aZone 9bZone 10Zone 10aZone 10bZone 11Zone 11aZone 11bZone 12Zone 12aZone 12bZone 13Zone 13aZone 13b
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest Start | Harvest End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 1 | May 29 | May 29 | Jul 25 | Sep 12 |
| Zone 4 | Apr 26 | May 24 | May 24 | Jul 20 | Sep 13 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 16 | May 14 | May 14 | Jul 10 | Sep 3 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 1 | Apr 29 | Apr 29 | Jun 25 | Aug 19 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 22 | Apr 19 | Apr 19 | Jun 15 | Aug 9 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 6 | Apr 3 | Apr 3 | May 30 | Jul 24 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 14 | Mar 14 | Mar 14 | May 10 | Jul 4 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 27 | Feb 24 | Feb 24 | Apr 22 | Jun 16 |
| Zone 11 | Jan 1 | Jan 29 | Jan 29 | Mar 27 | May 21 |
| Zone 12 | — | any | any | year_round | year_round |
| Zone 13 | — | any | any | year_round | year_round |
What you'll need — Your Zone
🛒 Basil — Seeds & Supplies
- 🌱 Basil Seeds
Search for these at your local garden center or nursery.
Companion Planting
Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.
✓ Good Companions
✗ Avoid Nearby
Sage
📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.