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.
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
| City | Start indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Charleston | Dec 24 – Dec 31 | Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| North Charleston | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Mount Pleasant | Jan 30 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
| Rock Hill | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 |
| Greenville | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 |
| Summerville | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Sumter | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Goose Creek | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Hilton Head Island | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Florence | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Spartanburg | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Hilton Head | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Myrtle Beach | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Aiken | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 |
| Greer | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 |
| Anderson | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Mauldin | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 |
| Greenwood | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 |
| North Augusta | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 13 |
| Taylors | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 |
| Saint Andrews | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Conway | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Easley | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 |
| Simpsonville | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Wade Hampton | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Lexington | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 8 |
| Socastee | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Hanahan | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Bluffton | Jan 20 – Jan 27 | Mar 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
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant basil in other states