Herb

When to Plant Basil in South Carolina

The king of herbs. Basil and tomatoes are best friends in the garden and in the kitchen.

The Short Answer

In South Carolina, plant basil based on your regional frost dates. Upstate has a last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 10, while Coastal sees frost end around Feb 25 - Mar 15. Long, hot growing season. Subtropical on coast. Two main planting seasons. Summer heat can stress cool-season crops.

South Carolina Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of South Carolina you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Upstate 7a, 7b Mar 25 - Apr 10 Oct 20 - Nov 5
Midlands 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15
Coastal 8a, 8b, 9a Feb 25 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Dec 1

Basil Planting Schedule for South Carolina

Upstate (Zones 7a, 7b)

Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 10 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Midlands (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Coastal (Zones 8a, 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 25 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Dec 1

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Growing Basil in South Carolina

Basil in South Carolina's Climate

Basil thrives in your warm climate and can produce for 5-6 months or more. In the deep South, basil may survive mild winters in sheltered locations. African Blue basil and Thai basil handle heat better than sweet Genovese. Watch for downy mildew in humid conditions — it's become a significant basil disease in warm, humid climates over the past decade.

Soil Considerations for South Carolina

Red clay in Piedmont. Sandy soils on coast. Acidic throughout. Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 60°F before planting basil outside.

South Carolina Climate & Growing Season

Long, hot growing season. Subtropical on coast. Two main planting seasons. Summer heat can stress cool-season crops. Basil cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across South Carolina: Upstate (7a, 7b) has a last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 10, while Coastal (8a, 8b, 9a) sees frost end around Feb 25 - Mar 15. This difference matters for basil — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Pinch off flower buds to keep leaves producing. Harvest from the top down, cutting just above a leaf pair. Succession plant for season-long supply.

Companion Planting

Plant basil alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Peppers Oregano

Keep basil away from:

Sage

The Bottom Line

Basil can be grown successfully across South Carolina, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Upstate gardeners should plan around a Mar 25 - Apr 10 last frost, while those in Coastal can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Basil Growing Guide National planting guide with all states South Carolina Planting Calendar All plants for South Carolina Basil in Alabama Alabama planting dates Basil in Alaska Alaska planting dates Basil in Arizona Arizona planting dates Basil in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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