How to Prune a Basil Bush

The common or sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum, is the most frequently grown of the basil family. It's an excellent herb for the home gardener -- easy to grow and a ready source of an aromatic and flavorful herb. Basil is an annual, so new plantings are required each year, but during the growing season a regular pruning is important to yield the most flavorful basil leaves.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Observe your basil plant and note the growth of flowers at the ends of the branches.

   • 2

     Pinch these off with your fingers and dispose of them in a compost pile or in the trash. Work around the plant to maintain a compact, even and bushy shape.

   • 3

     Repeat the pruning every two to three weeks for optimal plant health and to control the growth of woody stems.