Photo: Shashidhara halady, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herb
Holy basil: when and how to prune
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Holy 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 |
Holy 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.
Holy basil: how to prune it?
- Pinch out the tip of each shoot, just above a pair of leaves.
- Remove flower spikes if you mainly want to harvest leaves; this keeps the plant bushy.
- Never harvest more than a third of the plant at once.
- Towards the end of the season, let a few spikes flower for the bees and for seed.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: June–August.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Holy 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 here and dies at the first frost. Harvest everything before the first night frost.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Holy basil · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.