Basil plant profile
Ocimum basilicum
An annual herb for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Basil
Start seeds indoors
8 weeks before your last spring frost to 6 weeks before your last spring frost
Direct sow
at your last spring frost
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Planting depth
- 0.25 in
- Soil pH
- 6 to 7.5
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Spacing
- 6 to 12 in apart
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: basil downy mildew, premature flowering.
By hardiness zone
Basil by zone
Planting dates for a typical location in each zone:
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Growing basil in home gardens
University of Minnesota Extension. Supports indoor seed-starting timing (normalized), direct-sowing timing (normalized), plant and row spacing (direct), planting depth (direct), sun requirement (direct), soil pH (direct), and common problems (direct). Checked 2026-06-11.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Basil (Ocimum basilicum) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.