When to Plant Basil in District of Columbia

State

District of Columbia

Cities Covered

USDA Zones

7a, 7b, 8a

Plant Type

Indoor Start

📅 Planting Calendar for District of Columbia

Based on Washington (Zone 8a). Dates may vary by city.

Start Seeds Indoors Friday, January 23, 2026

Transplant Outdoors Friday, April 3, 2026

Note: District of Columbia spans multiple zones (7a, 7b, 8a). Select your city below for more precise dates.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Ocimum basilicum

Days to Maturity 60 days

Sun Requirements Full Sun (6-8 hours)

Plant Spacing 12" apart

Find Your City in District of Columbia

Washington (Zone 8a) Washington Navy Yard (Zone 8a)

Other Plants for District of Columbia

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussel Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini

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Growing Basil in District of Columbia

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a popular garden vegetable in District of Columbia. The state spans USDA Hardiness Zones 7a, 7b, 8a, so planting dates can vary significantly depending on your location.

For most of District of Columbia, you should start Basil seeds indoors around Friday, January 23, 2026, then transplant outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026.

For the most accurate planting dates, enter your ZIP code on our homepage or select your city from the list above.