Basil can be a highly misleading plant, as it will remain alive for extended periods even if you simply leave it sitting on a windowsill, but it will not produce any edible leaves unless you tend to it correctly.
Cynthia, a gardening expert from Grow Better Veggies, has revealed that most herb gardeners do not realize they need to be trimming the top leaves otherwise the plant will become bitter.
She said: “I’ve talked to loads of people who seem to have trouble with basil. They plant it out in their herb garden or kitchen garden, and find that it never gets very big or bushy.
“The key to its success is pinch, pinch, pinching! Even at this very young age, we pinch off the top. No scissors or clippers required, the growing tip is easily removed with just your fingernails.”
Basil requires regular pinching otherwise it can start to bloom, which sounds pleasant but actually means the plant will channel all its energy into seed production rather than leaf development.
This leads to smaller and tougher leaves that will not possess any flavor, and instead they become very bitter so they will likely ruin a recipe if you use basil for cooking.
When basil starts to bloom, it is approaching the end of its life cycle, but if you pinch consistently, the plant will not flower for a much longer period.
Pinching is extremely simple as it only requires a few seconds to complete, but will produce a bushier basil plant with flavorful leaves and will significantly help to maintain the herb’s vitality.
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How to pinch basil plants to keep them growing
Firstly, simply observe the plant and locate the first leaf node, which is where a pair of leaves sprout directly opposite each other on the stem.
Ensure your hands are clean, then gently pinch the stem just above this leaf node. You only need to remove the top part of the stem, so be cautious not to harm any leaf buds growing on the node.
Make it a routine to pinch basil once a week, or if the plant appears to be growing taller or forming any flower buds.
Immediately remove any flowers on basil as if they are allowed to grow, it will signal to the plant that it’s nearing the end of its life and will start producing seeds instead of growing leaves.
If you consistently pinch basil, it will live significantly longer and focus more energy into the leaves, making them much more flavorful.
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