FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Louisiana

In a typical Louisiana location, start seeds indoors Jan 7 – Jan 14, then transplant outdoors Feb 25 – Mar 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 31 in Metairie and as late as Mar 24 in Minden.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 50–70 days

Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.

Basil Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
New OrleansDec 21 – Dec 28Feb 8 – Feb 15
Baton RougeJan 17 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
ShreveportJan 17 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
MetairieDec 13 – Dec 20Jan 31 – Feb 7
LafayetteJan 2 – Jan 9Feb 20 – Feb 27
Lake CharlesJan 3 – Jan 10Feb 21 – Feb 28
Bossier CityJan 17 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
KennerDec 19 – Dec 26Feb 6 – Feb 13
MonroeJan 25 – Feb 1Mar 15 – Mar 22
AlexandriaJan 16 – Jan 23Mar 6 – Mar 13
HoumaDec 25 – Jan 1Feb 12 – Feb 19
MarreroDec 13 – Dec 20Jan 31 – Feb 7
New IberiaDec 30 – Jan 6Feb 17 – Feb 24
LaplaceDec 29 – Jan 5Feb 16 – Feb 23
CentralJan 14 – Jan 21Mar 4 – Mar 11
SlidellJan 13 – Jan 20Mar 3 – Mar 10
PrairievilleDec 29 – Jan 5Feb 16 – Feb 23
TerrytownDec 21 – Dec 28Feb 8 – Feb 15
RustonJan 28 – Feb 4Mar 18 – Mar 25
HammondJan 25 – Feb 1Mar 15 – Mar 22
HarveyDec 21 – Dec 28Feb 8 – Feb 15
SulphurJan 19 – Jan 26Mar 9 – Mar 16
Bayou CaneDec 25 – Jan 1Feb 12 – Feb 19
ShenandoahJan 17 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
NatchitochesJan 17 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
GretnaDec 21 – Dec 28Feb 8 – Feb 15
ChalmetteDec 30 – Jan 6Feb 17 – Feb 24
OpelousasJan 17 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
ZacharyJan 14 – Jan 21Mar 4 – Mar 11
EstelleDec 30 – Jan 6Feb 17 – Feb 24

Showing the 30 most populous of 66 Louisiana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Louisiana cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Louisiana?

In a typical Louisiana location, start seeds indoors Jan 7 – Jan 14, then transplant outdoors Feb 25 – Mar 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 31 in Metairie and as late as Mar 24 in Minden.

When is the last frost in Louisiana?

The average last spring frost in Louisiana ranges from January 24 in Metairie to March 17 in Minden, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do basil take to grow?

Basil typically take 50–70 days from planting to harvest. Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.

Other Crops in Louisiana

When to plant basil in other states

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