Growing Basil

Ocimum basilicum : Lamiaceae / the mint family

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

(Best months for growing Basil in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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 64°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 10 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Pick before flowering.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomato

Your comments and tips

25 Apr 17, Monique (USA - Zone 5a climate)
I live in Florida around Daytona beach and can't grow basil to save my life. I've tried it in pots inside and outside. This year O planted it by my tomatoes and it still died. I'm I watering it to much too much sunny it said full sun but it looks like it's getting brunt... HELP !!
01 Dec 19, Danielle (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I'm in Daytona too. My basil struggles also.
07 Jul 22, Sophia (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I am in Tampa, and I am growing so much basil from seed I am now drying it. I have mine in pots in full sun and water daily and then I have some in the ground in semi shade as an experiment.
30 Apr 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Basil is normally easy to grow. it likes moist, fertile soil and, while it won't tolerate frosts, it will burn with heat or drying winds. Select a spot that gets morning sun and protection later in the day then sow seed thinly in this spot. Sowing seed direct is more successful than using a seed bed or pot then transplanting as the plants aren't subject to root disturbance and transplanting shock.
12 Apr 17, jodie (Australia - temperate climate)
Can basil grow in autumn
13 Apr 17, Jack (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Basil is frost tender and is normally grown as an annual. If you had it in a frost free spot or inside it would carry over Winter. This would give you a supply of basil over winter. Basil is easy to grow from seed and you could sow seed in late Winter inside ready for Spring planting outside.
26 Jan 17, Mary (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Please can you tell me if Basil will successfully freeze & still give off its aroma in cooking when use. Is there any special way of freezing it or just plain in a plastic bag? thanks
01 Feb 17, anna (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Works well for me, but the leaves sometimes get a brown colour from freezing, mainly when thawed and refrozen. I perfer to freeze only some fresh and a lot of it already as a pesto in an icecube tray. the cubes are great for portioning.
02 Jan 17, Patricia hay (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Can you grow basil in tunnel house. Any tips. Tried growing from seed with no success .
26 Feb 25, Elysa (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Yes! For the cooler climates tunnel house is the way to go! I had terrible luck growing outside until a friend told me she grows hers in a tunnel house, now I have brilliant Basil! Also, to keep them going, clip regularly and root in water, they are very quick to root. You will have basil Spring to Fall.
Showing 51 - 60 of 124 comments

The basil I sow in punnets in a mini greenhouse environment do come up even easier. But soiwng the seeds in their final location is easier work :). I find sprinkling some seeds around each tomato plant (i grow tomatoes in pots) keeps us easily supplied through the tomato season. In spring weather, direct sowed, they should probably come up in just over a week.

- Andris

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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.
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