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When to Plant Basil in Hawaii

Basil is a fragrant warm-season herb essential to Italian and Thai cuisines. It comes in many varieties including sweet, Thai, purple, and lemon types.

Hawaii spans USDA hardiness zones 11a, 11b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Basil planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Basil Planting Calendar for Hawaii

Zone 11a ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors November 20 Nov 20 – Dec 4
Transplant Outdoors January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22
Direct Sow January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 29
Harvest March 5 Mar 5 – May 7
Zone 11b ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors November 20 Nov 20 – Dec 4
Transplant Outdoors January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22
Direct Sow January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 29
Harvest March 5 Mar 5 – May 7

Growing Tips for Hawaii

Start seeds indoors or direct sow after last frost. Pinch flower buds to extend leaf production. Harvest leaves from the top down, cutting just above a leaf pair.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Basil in Hawaii?

Planting dates for Basil in Hawaii depend on your USDA zone. Hawaii spans zones 11a, 11b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Hawaii for planting?

Hawaii contains USDA hardiness zones 11a, 11b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.