When to plant basil in Florida

Basil
Plant out in Jacksonville
Feb 15–Mar 1

Across Florida the window opens between February 15 and March 28. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Jacksonville
Dec 28–Jan 11
Plant out, Jacksonville
Feb 15–Mar 1
Sow outdoors, Jacksonville
Feb 15–Mar 1
Last sowing for a harvest
Oct 8
Last frost, Jacksonville
Feb 1

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
JacksonvilleFeb 15–Mar 1
TampaFeb 15–Mar 1
OrlandoFeb 15–Mar 1
St. PetersburgFeb 15–Mar 1
Cape CoralFeb 15–Mar 1
TallahasseeMar 18–Apr 1
GainesvilleMar 10–Mar 24
Palm BayFeb 15–Mar 1
Lehigh AcresFeb 15–Mar 1
LakelandFeb 15–Mar 1
Spring HillFeb 15–Mar 1
BrandonFeb 15–Mar 1
ClearwaterFeb 15–Mar 1
Palm CoastFeb 15–Mar 1
RiverviewFeb 15–Mar 1
Fort MyersFeb 15–Mar 1
DeltonaFeb 15–Mar 1
North PortFeb 15–Mar 1
AlafayaFeb 15–Mar 1
Daytona BeachFeb 15–Mar 1
MelbourneFeb 15–Mar 1
Town 'n' CountryFeb 15–Mar 1
KissimmeeFeb 15–Mar 1
Boynton BeachFeb 15–Mar 1
Pine HillsFeb 15–Mar 1
The VillagesFeb 15–Mar 1
LargoFeb 15–Mar 1
St. CloudFeb 15–Mar 1
Wesley ChapelFeb 15–Mar 1
OcalaMar 4–Mar 18
All 148 cities
CityStart indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsLast frost
JacksonvilleDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
TampaDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
OrlandoDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
St. PetersburgDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Cape CoralDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
TallahasseeJan 28 to Feb 11Mar 18 to Apr 1Mar 18 to Apr 1Mar 11
GainesvilleJan 20 to Feb 3Mar 10 to Mar 24Mar 10 to Mar 24Mar 3
Palm BayDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
Lehigh AcresDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
LakelandDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
Spring HillDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 5
BrandonDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
ClearwaterDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Palm CoastDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
RiverviewDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Fort MyersDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
DeltonaDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
North PortDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
AlafayaDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Daytona BeachDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
MelbourneDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
Town 'n' CountryDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
KissimmeeDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Boynton BeachDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 22
Pine HillsDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
The VillagesDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
LargoDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
St. CloudDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Wesley ChapelDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 31
OcalaJan 14 to Jan 28Mar 4 to Mar 18Mar 4 to Mar 18Feb 25
PoincianaDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Delray BeachDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 22
SanfordDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
Port OrangeDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
ApopkaJan 13 to Jan 27Mar 3 to Mar 17Mar 3 to Mar 17Feb 24
Port CharlotteDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 21
Palm Beach GardensDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 21
JupiterDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
Winter HavenDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
Horizon WestDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Palm HarborDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Four CornersDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 29
SarasotaDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
BradentonDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
Bonita SpringsDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
PensacolaJan 3 to Jan 17Feb 21 to Mar 7Feb 21 to Mar 7Feb 14
ClermontDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 29
Pinellas ParkDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
OcoeeDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Fort PierceDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 22
TitusvilleDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
UniversityDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Winter GardenDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Altamonte SpringsDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
DeLandJan 6 to Jan 20Feb 24 to Mar 10Feb 24 to Mar 10Feb 17
Haines CityDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
Cutler BayDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
Ormond BeachDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
North Fort MyersDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
Plant CityDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
Land O' LakesDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 31
PrincetonDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
OviedoDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
Meadow WoodsDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
The AcreageDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 21
Winter SpringsDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
Lakewood RanchDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
Riviera BeachDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 21
LeesburgDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
ValricoDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
EsteroDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Panama CityJan 4 to Jan 18Feb 22 to Mar 8Feb 22 to Mar 8Feb 15
South Miami HeightsDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
Richmond WestDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
Egypt Lake-LetoDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
CarrollwoodDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Fruit CoveDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
DunedinDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Merritt IslandDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
New Smyrna BeachDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
East LakeDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Buenaventura LakesDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
CasselberryDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Lake MagdaleneDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
LakesideDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
RockledgeDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
West MelbourneDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
CrestviewFeb 7 to Feb 21Mar 28 to Apr 11Mar 28 to Apr 11Mar 21
Oakleaf PlantationDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
VeniceDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
Ferry PassJan 6 to Jan 20Feb 24 to Mar 10Feb 24 to Mar 10Feb 17
Winter ParkDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
RuskinDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Vero Beach SouthDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
Fleming IslandDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
East Lake-Orient ParkDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Golden GateDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
Apollo BeachDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Citrus ParkDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Silver Springs ShoresJan 14 to Jan 28Mar 4 to Mar 18Mar 4 to Mar 18Feb 25
SebastianDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
WrightDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 5
Temple TerraceDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Leisure CityDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
LutzDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
KeystoneDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Palm River-Clair MelDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Fish HawkDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
Palm CityDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 23
PaceJan 6 to Jan 20Feb 24 to Mar 10Feb 24 to Mar 10Feb 17
ImmokaleeDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 23
Tarpon SpringsDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
South BradentonDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
NocateeDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 31
GrovelandDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
EustisDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 2
NorthdaleDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
BellviewJan 3 to Jan 17Feb 21 to Mar 7Feb 21 to Mar 7Feb 14
WestchaseDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
EdgewaterDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Port St. JohnDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
World Golf VillageDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
Oak RidgeDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
Liberty TriangleJan 14 to Jan 28Mar 4 to Mar 18Mar 4 to Mar 18Feb 25
Wekiwa SpringsJan 13 to Jan 27Mar 3 to Mar 17Mar 3 to Mar 17Feb 24
BloomingdaleDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
Bayonet PointDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
BartowDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
Jacksonville BeachDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 31
DeBaryDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
BrentJan 3 to Jan 17Feb 21 to Mar 7Feb 21 to Mar 7Feb 14
Jasmine EstatesDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
EnsleyJan 6 to Jan 20Feb 24 to Mar 10Feb 24 to Mar 10Feb 17
TavaresDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
Lynn HavenJan 4 to Jan 18Feb 22 to Mar 8Feb 22 to Mar 8Feb 15
ZephyrhillsDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 31
Marion OaksJan 14 to Jan 28Mar 4 to Mar 18Mar 4 to Mar 18Feb 25
HolidayDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Florida RidgeDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
AuburndaleDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
Hunters CreekDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Fort Walton BeachDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 5
MinneolaDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 29
LealmanDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
MidwayJan 18 to Feb 1Mar 8 to Mar 22Mar 8 to Mar 22Mar 1
West PensacolaJan 3 to Jan 17Feb 21 to Mar 7Feb 21 to Mar 7Feb 14
Punta GordaDec 28 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 21
Panama City BeachJan 14 to Jan 28Mar 4 to Mar 18Mar 4 to Mar 18Feb 25

Questions

When should I plant basil in Florida?

In Jacksonville, plant out from February 15 to March 1. Across Florida the window opens between February 15 and March 28, 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 Florida

Basil in other states

Frost dates for every city in Florida