Window Box

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Aromatic as a sunlit windowsill, Window Box basil fills the air with a sweet, classic basil perfume and delivers tender leaves that are richly green and luxuriously soft.

This bush basil forms a compact, upright plant with abundant foliage—ideal for harvesting again and again—offering a bright, herbaceous flavor that shines in fresh bouquets and quick infusions. Grow Window Box for its lush texture and dependable, early garden performance at about 50 days to maturity.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Bush

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Window Box Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 20th	Jul 20th	Sep 8th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 13th	Sep 1st – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Aug 22nd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Aug 22nd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 7th	Aug 26th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Aug 22nd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 1st	Aug 20th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jun 26th	Aug 15th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 22nd	Aug 11th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 19th	Aug 8th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 13th	Aug 2nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 8th	Jul 28th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	May 29th	Jul 18th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 20th	Jul 9th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 11th	Jun 30th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Apr 24th	Jun 13th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Mar 30th	May 19th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Window Box bush basil is all about soft, harvest-friendly leaves and that sweet, floral-green aroma—use it fresh or only briefly warmed so the flavor stays bright instead of dull. It’s particularly satisfying as a quick oil/finisher or a lightly blended pesto where the leaves keep their silky texture.

Best Uses

quick chiffonade into olive-oil and salt for instant finishing
short steeping into simple syrups and iced tea infusions
blending into a loose pesto-style sauce without heavy cooking
topping warm bread or potatoes right off the heat for a fresh-herb perfume

Flavor Profile

sweet basil perfume tender, spoon-soft leaves bright, clean herbaceous bite lightly cooling finish

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil lemon zest garlic parmesan mozzarella fava beans

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests commonly hit Ocimum basilicum in window boxes, and how can I control them?

In window boxes, basil (Ocimum basilicum) is especially prone to aphids and whiteflies, which cluster on new growth and leave sticky residue. Spray plants with a strong jet of water to knock off aphids, then use insecticidal soap (especially under leaves) every 5–7 days until signs stop. If you see leaf spotting and gray mold-like growth during cool, humid spells, remove affected leaves immediately and increase airflow around the container.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during its main growing phase in a window box?

During active growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy: water when the top 1 inch feels dry. Aim for deep watering until excess drains from the bottom, then let it partially dry before watering again to prevent root problems. Basil in small window boxes dries out fast, so check moisture daily in hot weather.

How do I tell when Ocimum basilicum is ready to harvest from a window box?

Start harvesting when plants are about 6–8 inches tall and have formed multiple sets of leaves, typically around 50 days from sowing. Pinch or cut above a leaf pair to encourage bushy regrowth, and harvest regularly before flowering to keep leaves tender and flavorful. If you notice flower buds, harvest immediately and pinch them off to prolong leaf production.