When to Plant Basil in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide
Sow September to March. Right now in September you can sow.
Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
This Basil guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The king of summer herbs. Sweet basil (O. basilicum) is the standard culinary variety, but Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora), lemon basil (O. x citriodorum), and purple basil (O. basilicum 'Purpurascens') each bring distinct flavours. Extremely frost-sensitive. Even a light frost kills it dead. Thrives in warm conditions across most of Australia from spring through autumn.
Planting Calendar for Cool Temperate
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/T | S/T | T | - | - | - | - | - | S | S/T | S/T | S/T |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is Basil sowing time in Melbourne?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cool Temperate zone right now, Basil included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 18–35°C) ✗ Outside optimal range
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Basil in Cool Temperate Australia
When to Plant
Seed trays Oct-Dec. Transplant Nov-Jan only. Short season of 3-4 months. Container growing allows moving indoors.
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost. Warm soil is critical.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun (minimum 6 hours). More sun = more essential oils = more flavour.
- Spacing
- 25cm apart, 40cm between rows
- Watering
- Regular, consistent watering. Basil wilts dramatically when dry but recovers quickly. Water at base, not overhead, to reduce fungal issues. Morning watering preferred.
Companion plants: Tomato, Capsicum, Chilli, Marigold
Avoid planting near: Rue, Sage, Common Thyme
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Basil
Recommended Varieties
- Genovese
- Sweet Basil
- Greek basil (compact, good for pots)
Key Challenges
- Very short season
- Cold nights reduce growth
- Early autumn frosts end season abruptly
Pro Tips
- Grow in black pots against north-facing wall, warmth is everything
- Use cloches or cold frames to extend season
- Greek/bush basil tolerates cooler conditions slightly better
Harvesting Basil
When ready: Begin harvesting when plants have 6+ sets of leaves. Harvest before or at first sign of flower buds for best flavour.
How to harvest: Pinch or cut stems just above a leaf pair. This encourages two new shoots from that node. Never strip more than 1/3 of plant at once. Harvest in morning after dew dries when essential oil concentration peaks.
Common Basil Pests in Cool Temperate Zones
Organic prevention: Avoid excess nitrogen. Companion plant with marigolds. Check plants regularly.
Where to next
Get the Full Interactive Guide
Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.
Open the planting dashboard Join Garden BuddyCommon Questions About Basil
When do you plant basil in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): all year
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Mar, Aug to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan to Feb, Oct to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jan to Mar, Aug to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
Does basil grow all year round in Melbourne?
No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.