When to Plant Basil in South Carolina

In a typical South Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 8 – Feb 15, then transplant outdoors Mar 29 – Apr 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 11 in Charleston and as late as Apr 27 in Gaffney.

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
ColumbiaFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
CharlestonDec 24 – Dec 31Feb 11 – Feb 18
North CharlestonJan 24 – Jan 31Mar 14 – Mar 21
Mount PleasantJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 20 – Mar 27
Rock HillFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
GreenvilleFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
SummervilleFeb 8 – Feb 15Mar 29 – Apr 5
SumterFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
Goose CreekJan 24 – Jan 31Mar 14 – Mar 21
Hilton Head IslandJan 20 – Jan 27Mar 10 – Mar 17
FlorenceFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
SpartanburgFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
Hilton HeadJan 20 – Jan 27Mar 10 – Mar 17
Myrtle BeachFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
AikenFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
GreerFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
AndersonFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
MauldinFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreenwoodFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
North AugustaJan 16 – Jan 23Mar 6 – Mar 13
TaylorsFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
Saint AndrewsFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
ConwayFeb 1 – Feb 8Mar 22 – Mar 29
EasleyFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
SimpsonvilleFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
Wade HamptonFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
LexingtonFeb 11 – Feb 18Apr 1 – Apr 8
SocasteeFeb 1 – Feb 8Mar 22 – Mar 29
HanahanJan 24 – Jan 31Mar 14 – Mar 21
BlufftonJan 20 – Jan 27Mar 10 – Mar 17

Showing the 30 most populous of 58 South Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all South Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in South Carolina?

In a typical South Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 8 – Feb 15, then transplant outdoors Mar 29 – Apr 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 11 in Charleston and as late as Apr 27 in Gaffney.

When is the last frost in South Carolina?

The average last spring frost in South Carolina ranges from February 4 in Charleston to April 20 in Gaffney, 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 South Carolina

When to plant basil in other states

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