herb · transplant · beginner friendly
Basil: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating basil a few times a week needs about 18 plants in ~18 sq ft, worth about $180 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$20.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 5 | ~5 sq ft | ~6 | ~$50 |
| 2 people | 9 | ~9 sq ft | ~11 | ~$90 |
| 4 people | 18 | ~18 sq ft | ~22 | ~$180 |
| 6 people | 27 | ~27 sq ft | ~32 | ~$270 |
Spacing
8" in row · 18" between rows
Sow depth
0.25"
Days to harvest
40 from transplant (60 from seed)
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Jun 5 – Jul 23 | — |
| Zone 4 | May 31 – Aug 2 | — |
| Zone 5 | May 21 – Aug 6 | — |
| Zone 6 | May 11 – Jul 27 | — |
| Zone 7 | Apr 26 – Jul 12 | — |
| Zone 8 | Apr 15 – Jul 1 | — |
| Zone 9 | Mar 13 – May 29 | — |
| Zone 10 | Feb 21 – May 9 | — |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Pinch stems just above a leaf pair once plants hit 6 to 8 inches, harvesting IS the pruning. Take up to a third at a time.
Don't wait: Flower spikes turn leaves bitter; pinch buds off the moment you see them.
Yield
About 0.5 lbs per plant over ~12 productive weeks (~0.5 lb).
Watch for
Aphids · Spider mites · Downy & powdery mildew · Japanese beetles, the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with tomato, pepper, oregano, lettuce. Which of these hold up, and what not to plant after
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
23 kcal · 1.6 g fiber · 18 mg vitamin C · 295 mg potassium
When to plant basil in your state
Pick your state for exact sow windows.
Each page keys basilto that state's typical frost dates, with spring and fall windows and the indoor-start date where it helps.
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Basil cans, freezes, or dries for the pantry. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Basil planting questions
How many basil plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 5 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 18 plants, which takes around 18 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does basil need?+
Space plants 8" apart in the row with 18" between rows. Sow 0.25" deep. Start indoors, transplant out.
When should I plant basil?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing basil worth it?+
At about $20.00/lb retail and ~0.5 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $180 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.