GrowZone

Crop by USDA zone

When to plant basil in zone 9b

In USDA zone 9b, plant basil around Mar 2, after the representative last frost near Feb 20. Start seeds indoors around Jan 16.

This page summarizes the supported ZIPs in zone 9b. Your exact city can move earlier or later, so use the ZIP lookup for the frost-station-specific answer.

Get exact basil dates by ZIP code.

Seed starting schedule

Basil dates for Houston, TX

StepDateHow to use it
Start IndoorsJanuary 16, 2026Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant OutdoorsMarch 2, 2026Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.
Direct SowMarch 2, 2026Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the window.
New Orleans, LA · Zone 9b Basil Feb 20 Open ZIP-specific answer · last frost Feb 10 Houston, TX · Zone 9b Basil Mar 2 Open ZIP-specific answer · last frost Feb 20 Tucson, AZ · Zone 9b Basil Feb 25 Open ZIP-specific answer · last frost Feb 15 Bakersfield, CA · Zone 9b Basil Mar 2 Open ZIP-specific answer · last frost Feb 20 Fresno, CA · Zone 9b Basil Mar 2 Open ZIP-specific answer · last frost Feb 20 San Jose, CA · Zone 9b Basil Feb 25 Open ZIP-specific answer · last frost Feb 15 Sacramento, CA · Zone 9b Basil Mar 2 Open ZIP-specific answer · last frost Feb 20