Growing Basil

Ocimum basilicum : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P              

(Best months for growing Basil in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 25 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Pick before flowering.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomato

Your comments and tips

30 Jul 17, Paul (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Sounds like Downey Mildew. Undersides have grey black fuzz spores, the plant looks like has a nutritional problem. Suggest sanitation, regular application of organic teas and bio fungicides to populate the leaves with bacteria and fungi so the mildew can't get a start.... Varieties with flatter leaves vs. cupped tend to have an easier time.
09 Jul 17, Jayne (USA - Zone 11a climate)
Hi, I'm in Zone 11a and need some clarification. For example regarding Basil, when you state 'P - Plant In The Garden' are you meaning plant seeds in seed trays in these months or to plant out young plants (that were seed sown in trays 4-6 wks earlier) in these months? Hope that question makes sense! Thanks. (P-Plant in garden means plant into the ground unless your local weather is not suitable - in which case, start basil in a seed tray and transfer later. - Liz)
03 Jan 18, Wendy (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Hi Liz; I used to live in Miami, Your best bet is to buy a plant and just use the shoots of the plant. Place in a small container with water until you see roots and then transplant to soil. Basil is a very strong plant making it easy to grow. The more sun it gets the strongest the flavor and aroma. Good luck
11 Aug 23, Janine (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I wouldn't recommend having basil in a spot that gets full sun at midday in the Miami summer. That's too much sun and will damage/kill it. I lost several basils that way. When gardening tips say
27 Sep 23, Janine (USA - Zone 10b climate)
(cont'd) "full sun", they usually don't mean full tropical summer sun.
29 Feb 20, Laura (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I’m in Zone 7a/b. When planting seeds in trays, how much light should they get? My cats destroy all plants, so I need to find a place they don’t go, and I’m not sure there’s enough light in that room. Unless just normal daylight from a window is adequate for the germination period (I have 10 black thumbs and really want to get this one right. I’m tired of paying so much for fresh basil from the grocery store)
22 Aug 20, Reeny (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Basil grows indoors easily from seeds! The main thing is to get a LED grow light lamp (Amazon has them on goosenecks for about $20 for a double-neck full spectrum lamp). They mimic the sun. So worth it for indoor plants!
03 Apr 23, Kelly (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Thanks!! I live in 9b also. Great tip!
10 Apr 20, Joe Ruscigno (USA - Zone 7b climate)
When is it safe to plant basil plants in pots outdoors?
Showing 11 - 19 of 19 comments

Throw it away, get some good compost and start again. It needs a lot of morning sun.

- John

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.