Tropical
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Grow to Eat
When to plant Basil in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartStart in traysLightFull sunTiming6–10 weeksDifficultyEasy
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Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for October, November, December, January, February.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.
Start well
Plant basil with confidence
Start in trays. Sow about 5 mm, using clean seed-raising mix for trays and keeping the surface evenly moist until established.
- Sowing or planting depth
- about 5 mm
- Germination or establishment
- Commonly 7–21 days, but the seed packet and current soil temperature are the best guide for the exact variety.
- Spacing
- 20–30 cm
- Soil
- Free-draining soil; Mediterranean herbs prefer leaner conditions; usually ph 6.0–7.5.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Feed lightly; rich fertiliser can reduce flavour in Mediterranean herbs.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Water to establish, then match moisture to the herb’s natural climate.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Tip-prune regularly and remove flowers when leaves are the desired harvest.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
6–10 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Poor drainage, mites and sap-sucking insects are common when herbs are stressed or crowded.
Useful neighbours
Use herbs between vegetables and flowers where their mature size, light and water needs are compatible.
People and pets
Safety note
No Patch-specific toxicity warning is recorded. That does not prove the plant is safe—check the exact species with a veterinarian or poisons service if children or pets may eat it.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026