What's the proper way to harvest basil?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.When you harvest basil the right way, you get even more continuous production instead of dying plants. I learned this lesson by accident when I stunted my first plants. As a reminder, always harvest basil in the morning, after the dew has dried, and before the heat of the day kicks in. When you harvest in the morning, the leaves will be at their maximum essential oil concentration, yielding the best flavor and aroma.
Cutting Technique
- Use sterilized scissors or precision pruners
- Cut ¼ inch above leaf nodes
- Angle cuts away from plant center
- Target stems with at least 3 leaf sets
Plant Management
- Never remove over 1/3 of foliage
- Prioritize top growth for bushiness
- Remove flower buds immediately
- Rotate harvest locations weekly
Post-Harvest Care
- Water plants immediately after harvesting
- Avoid fertilizing for 3 days
- Check for pest exposure points
- Mist leaves if humidity drops
To prolong the freshness of fresh harvest use proper storage. Stems can be placed in a glass of room-temperature water, similarly to cut flowers. Water should be changed daily, and the stem ends should be trimmed every other day. Conventional refrigeration can be used to prolong storage by wrapping the bunch in a damp paper towel and storing it in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Displaying basil on the kitchen counter will allow me to enjoy it fresh whenever I need it.
Restore cuttings to new plants before wilting. Cut and remove the stem tips that are about 4 inches long, leaving healthy leaves below your cut. Take cuttings and root them in jars of water, placing them near light-filled windows. Keep changing the water every two days. When the root systems reach approximately 2 inches in length, transfer them to small pots. This method will allow you to propagate plants for an indefinite supply.
Frequency maximizes productivity. Harvest mature plants weekly when they're actively growing. Weekly harvests keep them from flowering and stimulate lateral branching. When I harvest my most productive plants weekly during the summer season (May-September), I consistently obtain ½ cup of leaves per week through harvesting.
Read the full article: How to Grow Basil Indoors Successfully
