When to plant basil in Paris
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Paris's last spring frost of Apr 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 16 – Apr 6
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 3 – Jun 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 2 – Sep 1
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Paris's 221-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Paris's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
FROST
APR 3
NOV 11
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Paris?
Direct-sow around early June (Jun 3–Jun 24) in Paris, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Paris?
Expect to harvest from around early August (Aug 2–Sep 1) in Paris, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Paris?
Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 16–Apr 6) in Paris, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Paris?
Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 3–Jun 24) in Paris, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Paris?
Paris has roughly 221 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow basil to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow basil 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Paris's frost dates.
Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.