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Pruning guide · Perennial
Wild basil: when and how to prune
Clinopodium vulgare
Wild basil is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Wild basil: when to prune it?
Late February–March, before new growth begins.
What else to prune in those months? March
Wild basil: how to prune it?
- Cut the old, dead stems back to just above the ground.
- Pile the cuttings at the back of the garden: insects may still be overwintering in them.
- No pruning is needed in summer.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Wild basil flowers in July–September, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Wild basil · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.