FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Texas

In a typical Texas location, start seeds indoors Jan 24 – Jan 31, then transplant outdoors Mar 14 – Mar 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 15 in Edinburg and as late as Apr 28 in Dumas.

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
HoustonDec 22 – Dec 29Feb 9 – Feb 16
San AntonioJan 14 – Jan 21Mar 4 – Mar 11
DallasJan 19 – Jan 26Mar 9 – Mar 16
Fort WorthJan 22 – Jan 29Mar 12 – Mar 19
AustinJan 27 – Feb 3Mar 17 – Mar 24
El PasoJan 19 – Jan 26Mar 9 – Mar 16
ArlingtonJan 26 – Feb 2Mar 16 – Mar 23
Corpus ChristiDec 20 – Dec 27Feb 7 – Feb 14
PlanoJan 24 – Jan 31Mar 14 – Mar 21
LaredoDec 9 – Dec 16Jan 27 – Feb 3
LubbockFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
GarlandJan 24 – Jan 31Mar 14 – Mar 21
IrvingJan 19 – Jan 26Mar 9 – Mar 16
CypressJan 8 – Jan 15Feb 26 – Mar 5
AmarilloMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Grand PrairieJan 26 – Feb 2Mar 16 – Mar 23
BrownsvilleNov 28 – Dec 5Jan 16 – Jan 23
McKinneyFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 24 – Mar 31
FriscoJan 24 – Jan 31Mar 14 – Mar 21
PasadenaDec 22 – Dec 29Feb 9 – Feb 16
MesquiteJan 19 – Jan 26Mar 9 – Mar 16
KilleenJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 21 – Mar 28
McAllenNov 28 – Dec 5Jan 16 – Jan 23
CarrolltonJan 19 – Jan 26Mar 9 – Mar 16
MidlandFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
WacoJan 26 – Feb 2Mar 16 – Mar 23
DentonJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 20 – Mar 27
AbileneFeb 6 – Feb 13Mar 27 – Apr 3
Round RockJan 28 – Feb 4Mar 18 – Mar 25
BeaumontJan 3 – Jan 10Feb 21 – Feb 28

Showing the 30 most populous of 258 Texas cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Texas cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Texas?

In a typical Texas location, start seeds indoors Jan 24 – Jan 31, then transplant outdoors Mar 14 – Mar 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 15 in Edinburg and as late as Apr 28 in Dumas.

When is the last frost in Texas?

The average last spring frost in Texas ranges from January 8 in Edinburg to April 21 in Dumas, 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 Texas

When to plant basil in other states

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