How to Grow Basil in New Zealand
Updated June 2026
Warm-season herb for Auckland and the north, sow once soil has warmed from October through to autumn. Pinch the tips regularly to keep plants bushy and delay flowering. Water at the base rather than overhead to keep downy mildew and grey mould at bay through humid northern summers.
What it looks like as it grows
When to plant basil in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, October, November, December |
| Auckland | January, February, October, November, December |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, October, November, December |
| Wellington | January, February, November, December |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, November, December |
| Canterbury | November, December |
| Otago & Southland | December |
| Central Otago | December |
Best basil varieties for NZ
- Sweet Genovese, The classic Italian basil, big aromatic green leaves for pesto and caprese. The supermarket standard. (Yates NZ, Mr Fothergill's NZ, Mitre 10)
- Thai Sweet Basil (Horapa), Purple stems, anise-clove flavour. Essential for Thai cooking. Handles SEQ summer heat better than Italian basil. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
- Greek Basil, Tiny-leaf compact mounding variety. Very heat tolerant. Perfect for pots and balcony gardens. (Kings Seeds, Mr Fothergill's NZ)
- Lemon Basil, Narrow leaves with strong citrus aroma. Great with fish and in summer drinks. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
- Dark Opal (Purple), Deep purple leaves, striking in the bed. Milder flavour, lovely in salads and vinegars. (Mr Fothergill's NZ, Kings Seeds)
How to grow basil
- Space plants about 25cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 65 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 10 days.
Companion planting
Grow basil near: Tomato, Capsicum, Oregano.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Whitefly, Aphids. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
When it goes wrong
The most common ways basil trips people up, and what to change next time:
Black spots and collapse
Cold damage. Basil hates anything under 10C, so keep it warm and do not plant out too early.
Leggy with few leaves
Not enough light or not pinched out. Give it full sun and pinch the tips regularly to bush it up.
Flowers take over
Let it flower and the leaves turn bitter. Pinch out flower spikes to keep it productive.
🌱 Plant Basil in your garden →FAQ
When is the best time to plant basil in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, October, November, December. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy basil seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Yates NZ, Mr Fothergill's NZ, Mitre 10.