When to plant basil
Short answer
Plant basil about 2 weeks after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 29, starting seeds indoors about Mar 4. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Dec 4 | Jan 29 | Mar 30 |
| Zone 2 | Jan 4 | Mar 1 | Apr 30 |
| Zone 3 | Jan 27 | Mar 24 | May 23 |
| Zone 4 | Feb 16 | Apr 13 | Jun 12 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 4 | Apr 29 | Jun 28 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 19 | May 14 | Jul 13 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jul 28 |
| Zone 8 | Apr 20 | Jun 15 | Aug 14 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Basil is a warm crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
What sets the timing for basil
When to plant basil comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Basil is a warm crop, so it goes in about 2 weeks after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 29.
Give it a head start: sow seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last spring frost (around Mar 4 in zone 5), then move seedlings out once conditions are right. From there it's roughly 60 days to harvest.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for basil ranges from about Mar 24 in warm zone 3 to May 29 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Basil is warm — it waits until the soil warms after frost |
| Indoor start | Start seeds 6 weeks before your last spring frost |
| Days to harvest | About 60 days from planting to harvest |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Needs warm soil — cold, wet ground stunts or rots it |
How basil compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas (hardy · plants early) | Mar 11 |
| Basil | Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing basil
- Don't rush basil outside — cold soil stalls it. Wait until after your last spring frost and, ideally, until nights stay mild.
- Give basil a 6 weeks indoor head start under a bright light before transplanting.
- Count roughly 60 days from planting to harvest, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for basil dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant basil?
Plant basil about 2 weeks after your last spring frost. That's around Apr 13 in zone 4 and May 14 in zone 6.
When do I start basil seeds indoors?
Start basil seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost, then transplant after the frost passes. That's roughly Mar 19 in zone 6.
How long until basil is ready to harvest?
About 60 days from planting until first harvest. In zone 6, basil planted around May 14 is typically ready near Jul 13.