Whether started indoors or sown in the garden, growing basil can be a rewarding experience for gardeners
of all levels of experience. This section of the guide will discuss recommendations for both indoor
and outdoor growing, with the help of some of HSA’s expert members.
As a tropical plant, basil requires plenty of heat and light. Most basils are hardy only in very warm climates
where there is no chance of frost (79), but they can be grown outdoors during the warmer
months in northern climates. Typically, basils are hardy in zone 10 or higher (14, 47), but keep in mind
that this zone number is a guideline rather than a rule. Even though some species are annuals and some
are tender perennials, many are grown as annuals in the north. Likewise, some annual basils can be
grown as short-lived perennials.