Thai Basil Growing Guide
Lamiaceae family
Days to Harvest40 days
SunlightFull Sun
Frost ToleranceNone
Spacing4/sqft (6" apart)
Germination5-10 days
HardinessTender
Germ. Temp80°F
Start Indoors6 weeks before last frost
Growth Stages
- Seedling
- Establishing
- Mature / Harvest Ready
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Apr 13 | Jun 8 | Jun 8 | Jul 8 |
| Zone 1b | Apr 13 | Jun 8 | Jun 8 | Jul 8 |
| Zone 2a | Apr 3 | May 29 | May 29 | Jun 28 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 13 | Jun 8 | Jun 8 | Jul 8 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 10 | Jun 5 | Jun 5 | Jul 5 |
| Zone 3b | Apr 3 | May 29 | May 29 | Jun 28 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 24 | May 19 | May 19 | Jun 18 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | May 15 | May 15 | Jun 14 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 17 | May 12 | May 12 | Jun 11 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 17 | May 12 | May 12 | Jun 11 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 17 | May 12 | May 12 | Jun 11 |
| Zone 6b | Mar 4 | Apr 29 | Apr 29 | May 29 |
| Zone 7a | Mar 4 | Apr 29 | Apr 29 | May 29 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 27 | Apr 24 | Apr 24 | May 24 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 22 | Apr 19 | Apr 19 | May 19 |
| Zone 8b | Feb 8 | Apr 5 | Apr 5 | May 5 |
| Zone 9a | Feb 6 | Apr 3 | Apr 3 | May 3 |
| Zone 9b | Jan 27 | Mar 24 | Mar 24 | Apr 23 |
| Zone 10a | Jan 9 | Mar 6 | Mar 6 | Apr 5 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 17 | Feb 11 | Feb 11 | Mar 13 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 17 | Feb 11 | Feb 11 | Mar 13 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Jan 29 | Jan 29 | Feb 28 |
| Zone 12a | Nov 20 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Feb 14 |
| Zone 12b | Nov 20 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Feb 14 |
| Zone 13a | Nov 20 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Feb 14 |
| Zone 13b | Nov 20 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Feb 14 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Thai Basil?
Thai Basil takes approximately 40 days from planting to harvest.
How much sun does Thai Basil need?
Thai Basil requires full sun (6+ hours direct sunlight per day).
How far apart should I plant Thai Basil?
Plant Thai Basil at 4/sqft (6" apart) using square foot gardening spacing.
Can Thai Basil survive frost?
Thai Basil is frost-sensitive and should not be exposed to frost.
How long does Thai Basil take to germinate?
Thai Basil seeds germinate in 5-10 days at an optimal temperature of 80°F.
When should I start Thai Basil seeds indoors?
Start Thai Basil seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant 2 weeks after last frost.
Plan Your Thai Basil Garden
Track Thai Basil from seed to harvest with personalized frost dates, watering recommendations, and companion planting visualization.
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