When to plant basil in Arizona

Plant out in Phoenix

Feb 15–Mar 1

Across Arizona the window opens between February 15 and June 11. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Phoenix: Dec 28–Jan 11
Plant out, Phoenix: Feb 15–Mar 1
Sow outdoors, Phoenix: Feb 15–Mar 1
Last sowing for a harvest: Sep 27
Last frost, Phoenix: Jan 8

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–3 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Basil blackens below 50°F. Wait a week or two after the last frost.

Basil planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PhoenixFeb 15–Mar 1

TucsonFeb 15–Mar 1

GilbertFeb 15–Mar 1

ChandlerFeb 20–Mar 6

GlendaleFeb 15–Mar 1

ScottsdaleFeb 15–Mar 1

TempeFeb 20–Mar 6

GoodyearFeb 15–Mar 1

San Tan ValleyFeb 15–Mar 1

AvondaleFeb 15–Mar 1

Queen CreekFeb 15–Mar 1

MaricopaMar 2–Mar 16

FlagstaffJun 11–Jun 25

Casas AdobesMar 5–Mar 19

Casa GrandeFeb 15–Mar 1

Lake Havasu CityFeb 15–Mar 1

Prescott ValleyMay 7–May 21

Catalina FoothillsFeb 27–Mar 13

PrescottMay 7–May 21

Sierra VistaApr 12–Apr 26

Bullhead CityFeb 15–Mar 1

Sun CityFeb 15–Mar 1

KingmanApr 9–Apr 23

El MirageFeb 15–Mar 1

Fortuna FoothillsFeb 15–Mar 1

Drexel HeightsFeb 15–Mar 1

FlorenceFeb 15–Mar 1

Rio RicoApr 23–May 7

Questions

When should I plant basil in Arizona?

In Phoenix, plant out from February 15 to March 1. Across Arizona the window opens between February 15 and June 11, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–3 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Arizona

Basil in other states

Frost dates for every city in Arizona