We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Best Tips for Harvesting Basil?

By C.B. Fox
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,855
Share

Properly harvesting basil is essential in order to get the most out of the herb. Basil plants need to be harvested frequently both to keep them from flowering and to promote new growth. Basil plants can grow quite large, and it is possible to cut off a large section of the plant at once, but this can only be done once or twice per growing season. Most planters chose to harvest a modest amount once a week or once every three weeks. Utilizing proper harvesting technique can yield 10 or more cups (2.4 liters) of leaves per season.

A basil plant needs to grow large enough to establish itself before it can be harvested. Generally, once the plant is about a foot tall (0.3 meters), it is strong enough to handle harvesting, though counting the leaves is the best way to determine whether the plant is ready. The leaves of the basil plant grow in pairs, and the plant will flower once it develops six pairs of leaves on a single stalk. Harvesting basil each time there are four pairs of leaves will yield the greatest crop. Allowing the plant to go to flower will have a substantial effect on the taste of the leaves and should not be allowed.

Once there are four pairs of leaves on the first stalk, the gardener can pinch off the top of the stem just above the lowest set of leaves. After harvesting basil for the first time, there will be only two leaves left on the primary stalk. As long as the leaves are taken from directly above a leaf node, the the single stalk will split into two branches. These two branches will then grow separate sets of leaves which can themselves be harvested once the plant develops four sets of leaves on each of these stalks. It is possible to harvest at three or two sets or leaves on each stalk, though it is important to leave one set behind on the plant.

As the season progresses, the basil plant will bush out if it is harvested in this manner. Gardeners that find a large plant too unruly to manage can remove half of it at some point in the season. If the plant appears healthy, culling it in this way should not damage the rest of the basil plant. Harvesting basil should continue throughout the growing season.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Pippinwhite — On Jun 20, 2014

@Lostnfound: Basil has to be one of the easiest, least temperamental herbs you can grow. Chervil is a little picky, but basil and chives usually will grow anywhere, with little or no encouragement -- just water them a couple of times a week if it's really dry,

I have a co-worker who has a huge crop of basil every year and he usually brings me a pot of it. I enjoy having it around.

By Lostnfound — On Jun 19, 2014

I always just snipped the basil off the plants, kept the yellow or dead leaves pinched off and took the nice, full leaves at the top.

I try to plant a pot of basil every summer. It grows really well in the sunny spot in my yard. I put it in a hanging basket on the fence and it seems perfectly happy there.

I love basil and when I plant it, I try to plant the regular Italian basil, and also a pot of Thai basil, which tastes a little different, but is still delicious.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-best-tips-for-harvesting-basil.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.