When to Plant Basil in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow August to March. Right now in October you can sow.

Planting window
Sow in trays from August to February and plant out from September to March. Peak season is October to March, and plants die off by May as...
Days to harvest
60 days
Sunlight
Full sun (minimum 6 hours). More sun = more essential oils = more flavour.
Water needs
Regular, consistent watering. Basil wilts dramatically when dry but recovers quickly...
Spacing
25cm apart, 40cm between rows
Soil pH
6.0-7.0

Published · Last reviewed · By GardenBuddy.au
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Basil guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Basil

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.

See what grows now in your own postcode

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

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/T

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Basil sowing time in Brisbane?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical 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: 21.7°C (optimal range: 18–35°C) ✓ Ready to plant

That figure is read off our own weather station in South East Queensland at 15:55 yesterday, not a model.

What this month normally looks like

In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.

How to Grow Basil in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Sow in trays from August to February and plant out from September to March. Peak season is October to March, and plants die off by May as nights cool.

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

Subtropical Growing Tips for Basil

Recommended Varieties

  • Genovese (standard sweet basil)
  • Thai basil
  • Lemon basil
  • Purple basil
  • Tulsi

Key Challenges

  • Short season if spring is cool
  • Downy mildew in humid spells
  • First autumn cold snap kills plants

Pro Tips

  • Start seeds indoors in August for earliest harvest
  • Pinch flower buds relentlessly for longer harvest
  • Take cuttings in February to root for autumn pot plants indoors

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 Subtropical Zones

Aphids and Fungal Issues, risk: LOW (score: 34/100)

Organic prevention (Aphids): Avoid excess nitrogen. Companion plant with marigolds. Check plants regularly.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What basil costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this October: Lemongrass, Ginger, Climbing Beans and Okra.

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Common 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:

Does basil grow all year round in Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Jan to Mar, Aug 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.