Photo: Kembangraps, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herb
Lemon basil: when and how to prune
Ocimum × africanum
Lemon basil is best pruned in June–August.
| Pruning months | June–August |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Lemon basil: when to prune it?
From June to August pinch or snip out the tips regularly, as soon as the plant is 15–20 cm tall.
Lemon basil: how to prune it?
- Pinch out the tip of each shoot, just above a pair of leaves.
- Remove flower buds as soon as they appear: the leaves then stay more tender and tasty.
- Never harvest more than a third of the plant at once; always leave enough foliage.
- Towards the end of the season, let a few tips flower for the bees.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: June–August.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Lemon basil flowers in July–September, when it attracts bees.
- If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
Caution: It is an annual: it dies at the first frost. Harvest everything before the first night frost.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Lemon basil · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.