How to grow basil
Pinch off flower buds and harvest from the top to keep plants bushy.
Spacing4 per square foot
Plant out2 weeks after your last spring frost
Days to harvest50–70
FrostKilled by frost
HowDirect-sow or transplant
Family Herbs
Your basil dates
Companions
Keep apart from
Rotation and family
Basil belongs to the herbs (Lamiaceae / Apiaceae). Small footprint; many attract pollinators and predatory insects.
It can fill gaps in any bed of your rotation.
When to plant basil by zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow / plant out |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jun 3 – Jun 24 |
| 4 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 26 – Jun 16 |
| 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 14 – Jun 4 |
| 6 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 4 – May 25 |
| 7 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 22 – May 13 |
| 8 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 30 |
| 9 | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 29 |
| 10 | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 8 |
Based on typical frost dates for each zone; b half-zones run about a week earlier in spring. Zones 11–13 are frost-free in most years.
Basil questions
When should I plant basil?
Plant basil outdoors 2 weeks after your last spring frost. Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost.
How far apart should I plant basil?
About 6 inches apart, or 4 per square foot in a square foot garden.
What grows well with basil?
Traditional companions include asparagus, eggplant, pepper, tomato. Keep it away from sage.
How long does basil take to grow?
Typically 50–70 days from sowing to first harvest, depending on variety and weather.