When to plant basil in Louisiana

Plant out in New Orleans

Feb 15–Mar 1

Across Louisiana the window opens between February 15 and March 18. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, New Orleans: Dec 28–Jan 11
Plant out, New Orleans: Feb 15–Mar 1
Sow outdoors, New Orleans: Feb 15–Mar 1
Last sowing for a harvest: Oct 8
Last frost, New Orleans: Jan 22

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

New OrleansFeb 15–Mar 1

Baton RougeMar 7–Mar 21

ShreveportMar 16–Mar 30

MetairieFeb 15–Mar 1

LafayetteMar 5–Mar 19

Lake CharlesFeb 21–Mar 7

St. GeorgeMar 7–Mar 21

KennerFeb 15–Mar 1

Bossier CityMar 7–Mar 21

MonroeMar 15–Mar 29

AlexandriaMar 6–Mar 20

PrairievilleFeb 16–Mar 2

MarreroFeb 15–Mar 1

HoumaFeb 15–Mar 1

CentralMar 4–Mar 18

LaplaceFeb 16–Mar 2

SlidellMar 3–Mar 17

New IberiaFeb 17–Mar 3

TerrytownFeb 15–Mar 1

HammondMar 15–Mar 29

ChalmetteFeb 17–Mar 3

RustonMar 18–Apr 1

Bayou CaneFeb 15–Mar 1

HarveyFeb 15–Mar 1

ZacharyMar 4–Mar 18

SulphurFeb 21–Mar 7

Questions

When should I plant basil in Louisiana?

In New Orleans, plant out from February 15 to March 1. Across Louisiana the window opens between February 15 and March 18, 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 Louisiana

Basil in other states

Frost dates for every city in Louisiana