How and When to Pick Fresh Basil (Plus Recipe Ideas)

Basil is best harvested in the morning during the summer months, and we’re here to show you how. With the help of plant specialists from Artemisia Nursery, we’ve got you covered with everything there is to know about picking fresh basil (without hurting the plant in the process). We’ll even touch on some of the best ways to store your basil, use it in recipes, and care for your tasty plant year-round.

How do you harvest basil without killing the plant?

Harvest basil leaves by pinching or snipping off just the leaf (without any stem attached). To prune and harvest basil stems, trim just above a leaf node, which allows two sprouts to grow in its place. Plan to harvest in the morning, a couple of days after you last watered your basil plant.

Section 1 of 6:

Harvesting Basil Leaves

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When you water your basil plant, measure it with a tape measure or ruler to see how much it has grown. When the tallest part of the plant reaches 6 inches (15 cm), you can start to harvest its leaves.^{[1]
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Research source} Alternatively, wait to harvest basil leaves when there are 6–8 leaves growing from the plant.^{[2]
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Pick off small amounts of leaves from the top of the plant. Once your basil plant is grown, you should feel free to pick off leaves whenever you want a fresh garnish. Remove a few leaves from the upper portion of the plant. Working from the top of the plant will help encourage bushier growth in the long run.^{[3]
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- The experts at Artemisia Nursery warn against low pruning on a basil plant. If you prune the bottom portions of your basil, they warn that “you’ll end up with a thin, lanky plant.”^{[4]
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- To keep your basil plant going throughout the season, keep the bulk of your plant intact and wait from more basil to grow from the points where you pruned.^{[5]
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Pinch off basil leaves at the stem. When picking basil leaves, be gentle to avoid tearing them or damaging the stems they are attached to. Pinch basil leaves at their base, where they meet the stem. Gently pull away the entire leaf from the stem.^{[6]
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- You can also cut leaves with a small pair of scissors.^{[7]
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Section 2 of 6:

Harvesting Basil Stems

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To remove full stems of basil, start from the top and work your way down. According to plant specialists at Artemisia Nursery, this kind of harvesting will allow for a “denser, bushier plant that’s ultimately healthier and more productive.”^{[8]
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Expert Interview. 7 August 2020.}
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Cut stems right above the leaf node with scissors. When you remove full stems of basil from a plant, always cut as close as possible to the top of the leaf node. Leaf nodes are the points on the plant where side shoots emerge—aim to cut the stems about .25 inches (0.64 cm) above this point.^{[9]
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- According to plant specialists from Artemisia Nursery, “when you cut the basil just above a node, the plant will divide in two, which allows it to continue growing in a much bushier and fuller form.”^{[10]
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Harvest your basil plants before they flower. If you want to keep growing basil, you have to prevent your plant from flowering. Once a basil plant flowers, it will not produce any more leaves. When you remove these leaves and stems, you’re basically signalling to the plant to produce more replacement foliage.^{[11]
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- What if I just cut off the flower instead? Unfortunately, cutting off the flower won’t create more basil leaf growth; instead, it encourages basil flower growth. You’re better off keeping an eye on your plant and harvesting the leaves and stems before there’s any major flowering.^{[12]
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Section 3 of 6:

Storing Harvested Basil

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Clean stems of basil and trim off their bases. Place them in a glass jar with about 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of water at the bottom. Basil stems will keep for up to 2 weeks if they are kept at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.^{[13]
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Freeze chopped-up basil with oil in ice cube trays. Chop up your basil and fill the ice cubes wells all the way with the herb. Then, pour enough oil (like olive or canola) into each well to completely submerge the chopped-up basil (without overflowing). Stash the ice cube tray in the freezer and use a basil cube in your cooking whenever a recipe calls for the herb.^{[14]
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- Alternative: Mix some chopped-up basil with a little oil (a few tablespoons worth) together in a sealable plastic bag, leaving a ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) gap of air along the top of the bag. Flatten the bag on a baking sheet and stick it in the freezer, allowing the basil-oil mixture to freeze completely flat. Then, just snap off a small piece of the frozen basil when it’s time to add it to your recipe.
- Be sure to enjoy your frozen basil within 1 year.^{[15]
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Dry your basil for year-long preservation. Basil is a pretty moist herb, and needs a pretty quick drying method to prevent any mold from forming. Keep in mind that microwave method works best on low-powered microwaves (under 1,000 W).^{[16]
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Go to source} Once your basil leaves are dry, stick them in an airtight container for 1 year.^{[17]
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- Microwave: Sandwich your cleaned basil in single layers on a microwave-safe plate between 2 sheets of paper towels. Start microwaving the basil for 30 seconds, and then mix up the leaves on the plate. Continue heating the leaves in 30-second increments, for up to 2–3 minutes (or until the basil is dry and crumbly to the touch).
- Dehydrator: Lay out your basil on the racks in your dehydrator, with the leaves and stems spread apart. Make sure the appliance is set to 95 to 110 °F (35 to 43 °C) and let it run for a cycle.^{[18]
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- Air-drying: Tie up a bunch (or bunches) of basil and dangle it in a space that’s warm and well-ventilated for a week.^{[19]
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In the world of herbs, basil and cool temperatures don’t mix, so you’re better off storing your basil at room temperature.^{[20]
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Section 4 of 6:

Best Times to Harvest Basil

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The longer your basil soaks up the sun, the fewer fragrant oils will stick around in the leaves. With this in mind, you’re better off harvesting the herb in the morning rather than the afternoon.^{[21]
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Harvest basil when the plant isn’t well-watered. Basil tends to be at its most flavorful when the plant is thirsty, so try to coordinate your watering and harvesting schedules with this in mind.^{[22]
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- If you water your basil on Monday, you could plan to harvest some leaves on Thursday.
You’re better off snipping leaves as you need them rather than harvesting a lot at once. The fresher the basil, the better, so you only harvest a lot of basil if you plan to use it or preserve it.^{[23]
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Section 5 of 6:

Basil Recipe Ideas

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Basil is a featured ingredient in a variety of cuisines and dishes. Some of your favorite foods feature basil as a key ingredient, including pesto, soup, pizza, and plenty of pasta courses.^{[24]
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Section 6 of 6:

Basil Plant Care FAQs

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Can a basil plant grow back if you cut down the whole plant? Yes, but it isn’t necessary if you’re just looking to prune your basil. If you’re working on a recipe that calls for major amounts of basil, you can harvest the entire plant without worry—what matters is that you don’t mess with the root system at all.^{[25]
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- If you’re just trying to prune your plant, limit your cuts to above the first leaf node.
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Can my basil plant last for multiple seasons? Unfortunately, no—you’ll have to use seeds from your old plant to grow more basil, or buy a new plant independently. Basil plants are classified as “annuals,” which means they live and die in the span of a single growing system (unlike “perennials,” which can last several seasons). While it’s possible to transfer and repot basil plants indoors when it gets too cold outside, your basil won’t have a much longer lifespan since they’re meant to die in a single season.^{[26]
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- Moving your basil indoors can extend its life a little bit, but it won’t make it last indefinitely.
- The lifespan of indoor basil is about 1 year, but the plant can sometimes last longer.^{[27]
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No, not if you leave it outdoors. Basil thrives in warm weather, and unfortunately won’t last long in cold conditions. You can prolong the life of your basil by moving it inside, but keep in mind that the plant will still die eventually.^{[28]
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What is the best way to pick basil?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

It is best to just pick a few leaves off of each plant. Simply pinch them off at the stem.

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How do you harvest basil without killing the plant?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

Don't pick all the leaves off one plant or cut off the entire stem. Instead, pinch off the small tips to help the plant fill out.

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How do you cut fresh basil?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

To cut fresh basil, use a sharp knife and cut the leaves as fine as you need to.

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Tips

If your basil grows outdoors, harvest all your basil leaves and cut the stems down to the ground prior to the first frost. At this point, feel free to dig up the roots and repot them for indoor growth.^{[29]
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