![]() ![]() It’s possible to break off new basil growth with your fingers, but to ensure a clean cut and keep the plant healthy, you should always use a sharp implement like pruning shears, herb snips, or just regular scissors.Īs soon as the seedlings have their first 6 true leaves, prune or pinch to just above the second set. Therefore, pruning basil leaves with care is a necessity. Barely bruising the leaf releases the aroma of the essential oils, which quickly begin to dissipate. ![]() How to Trim a Basil Plantīasil leaves are quite delicate. If possible, harvest basil leaves in the morning when their essential oils are at their peak and the leaves have the most flavor. You may prune basil at any point through the growing season and hopefully if you’re growing it to add to food, you are doing this a lot. If you are growing a basil variety for ornamental purposes, then go ahead and leave the blooms, which can be quite attractive. If allowed to flower and seed, the plant becomes woody and the flavorful leaves bitter. So what is the purpose behind pruning basil? Is it to make it bushy? Yes, like many other plants, pruning this herb encourages growth which also makes the plant bushier but that isn’t the only reason.īasil should also be pruned before it flowers. Other sweet basil varieties include large leaves ‘Napoletano’ and ‘Italian Large Leaf’ and small leaf bush varieties such as ‘Green Globe’ and ‘Spicy Globe’. Of the varieties of sweet basil, ‘Genovese’ is the most popular, and is the type used in pesto sauce. The most common type of basil grown is sweet basil, but other varieties include purple basil, citrus basil, and Thai basil with its spicy licorice flavor. Native to Southern Asia and the islands of the South Pacific, basil is grown for its tender, flavorful and aromatic leaves. Water in the morning if possible to discourage fungal disease. Water the plants when the soil is dry down about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) into the soil. ![]() Basil also thrives as a container plant.īasil is intolerant of drought. ![]() When the seedlings have their first two true leaves, thin to 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) apart. Plant seeds ¼ inch (6 mm) deep in well-draining, fertile soil in a spot that gets full sun. Basil can be grown from seed and started either 6 weeks prior to the last frost in your area or directly into the garden after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed to at least 60 F (16 C). How to Grow BasilĪ tender annual, basil requires well-draining, fertile soil in an area that gets full sun 6-8 hours per day. The plant grows about 2 feet tall by 15 inches across (61 x 38 cm) and produces small, white blooms atop stalks. Sweet basil has smooth, green, aromatic leaves. Most basil varieties are grown for their culinary uses, but some are grown more for their ornamental traits, for pest control, or to cure medicinal ailments.īasil’s flavor comes from a blend of several compounds making it taste like an agreeable combination of citrus, mint, licorice and spice. The genus Ocimum contains 64 species of aromatic herbs native to subtropical to tropical climes worldwide. Not sure how to cut basil? Read on to learn how. Knowing how to prune basil is an important part of maintaining this herb, and one that will encourage new vigorous growth. With proper care including pruning, basil can provide the grower with an unlimited supply of sweet leaves until the fall. Basil is no exception, and it’s one of the most popular of the tender herbs grown in the garden. Basil ( Ocimum basilicum) is a member of the mint family, known for outstanding aromas. ![]()
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