Basil is an annual or perennial culinary herb, grown for the flavor it brings to the kitchen, ready to harvest about 65 days after planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 10 through 11, stands up to deer and grows just as well in a container as in the ground. Its summer flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees, even though the harvest is the prize.
Zones
10-11
pH Range
4.3-8.2
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
65
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What Basil is
Basil grows as an annual or perennial and reaches around two feet at maturity. It blooms white in summer. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Basil
Basil grows in USDA zones 10 through 11 and is ready to harvest about 65 days after planting. Basil does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.3 to 8.2, on well-drained ground. It needs around 1,100 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 80 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
10-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.3 - 8.2
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
44.6°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
65 days
Basil; cut-and-come-again. Indoor 4-6wk standard.
OSU-PNW; UMass-Veg
GDD Required
1100+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
2 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
80+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant basil in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Basil prefers pH 4.3 to 8.2 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at maturity
Basil is ready about 65 days after planting (OSU-PNW; UMass-Veg). Snip sprigs as you need them — regular cutting keeps the foliage tender and slows it bolting to flower.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — basil isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Basil offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Basil thrives
Basil is hardy across USDA zones 10 through 11. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 10–11·Where Basil growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Basil can grow in these states:
See if Basil will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether basil actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Basil in my zone?
Basil grows in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
How long does Basil take to grow?
Basil is ready to harvest about 65 days after planting (OSU-PNW; UMass-Veg). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Basil?
Most growers plant basil after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 80-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Basil need?
Basil needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Basil need?
Basil prefers soil pH 4.3 to 8.2, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Basil attract pollinators?
Yes — basil's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Basil safe for pets?
Basil is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.