Overwintering guide
How to overwinter thai basil
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills thai basil in winter
Cutting thai basil hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More thai basil care
- Overwintering basil — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering thai basil — our other guide for the same plant
- Full thai basil care guide
- Thai Basil temperature range
- How often to water thai basil
- How to prune thai basil
- Common thai basil problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering thai basil — FAQ
Does thai basil need to come indoors for winter?
Thai Basil is hardy to roughly USDA zone 4 — winter lows around -34°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Thai Basil is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move thai basil for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water thai basil in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills thai basil over winter?
Cutting thai basil hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.