SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Window Box

Basil
Zone 11a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Window Box to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Window Box
50d to harvest

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.

Crop Dates

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).
MilestoneDate
Start Indoors—
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsOct 1st
Harvest BeginsNov 20th
Harvest EndsFeb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity50
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitBush
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)60
Min Night Temp (°F)50
Harden Off (days)10

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Window Box in Zone 11a typically begins around 2026-10-01. Wait until soil reaches at least 60°F before transplanting Window Box.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.
Botanical illustration of Window Box

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.

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Window Box in Zone 11a typically begins around 2026-10-01. Wait until soil reaches at least 60°F before transplanting Window Box.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 60°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

Treat “Window Box” as a compact container vegetable and sow once outdoor conditions are safe, keeping the medium evenly moist until seedlings establish.