Herbs

Basil

Fragrant leaves to pick a little at a time.

Open interactive plant guide Use the planting calendar

Sowing & planting windows in Australia

Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.

Cool

Sow · Sep-Feb

Core months: January, February, September, October, November, December

Temperate

Sow · Sep-Dec

Core months: September, October, November, December

Subtropical

Sow · Aug-Feb

Core months: January, February, August, September, October, November, December

Tropical

Sow · All year

Core months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Arid

Sow · Aug-Mar

Core months: January, February, March, August, September, October, November, December

Getting started

Sow seed in pots or trays in a warm, bright place, or directly into warm soil. Move young plants outdoors only when conditions are warm and frost is no longer a risk.

The right conditions

Choose a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, freely draining soil. Basil is sensitive to cold; a pot lets you move it to a more protected spot.

As it grows

Keep the soil lightly moist. Pinch out growing tips above a pair of leaves to encourage branching. Remove developing flower shoots when growing primarily for leaves.

Ready to harvest

Pick tender leaves and shoot tips once the plant is growing strongly. Take a little from several stems and leave enough foliage for continued growth.