8 Tips to Grow Big Bushy Basil All Summer: Heat, Pruning, and the Pinch Technique

A leggy struggling basil plant is the #1 home gardener herb frustration. The fix is not more water or more fertilizer; it is the right pinching technique starting at 6 inches tall. This guide is 8 tips from UMN and Penn State extensions that turn a single basil seedling into a 2-foot bushy harvest machine that produces all summer.

The Pinch Technique (the Single Most Important Move)

Per UMN Extension’s growing basil research.

• When: when the plant is 6 inches tall and has 2 to 3 sets of true leaves.
• Where to pinch: just above a leaf node (the bump where leaves attach to the stem).
• Why it works: removing the top growing tip activates the two side buds at the node, which become two new branches. Each repeat pinch doubles the branch count.
• Frequency: repeat every 2 to 3 weeks throughout the growing season.
• Result: a single seedling becomes a 24-branched bushy plant by midsummer.

8 Basil Growing Tips (Detail)

Below are the original 8 detailed tips plus the lemon basil garlic compound butter recipe.

Tips For Growing Big, Bushy Basil

Here are some tips will help you finally grow the big, bushy basil plants you’ve always dreamed of!

1. Keep Them Warm

Basil plants don’t like the cold and are sensitive to dips in temperature (those of us in Maine who can’t get basil to do much of anything know what this means!). Avoid putting basil seedlings in the ground too soon to avoid exposure to frost. If you plant your basil in containers, bring them indoors (your garage will do) if you anticipate a cool night.

2. Ensure Proper Drainage

Basil requires well-draining soil in order to flourish. Use a planter with plenty of drainage holes. If your favorite planter doesn’t have holes on the bottom, drill some if possible. Lining the bottom of the pot with a couple inches of gravel also allows for adequate drainage.

3. Keep Soil Moist

While basil likes well-drained soil, it should also be kept moist. Maintaining consistent moisture without water-logging them can be a fine line. Overwatering can cause the stems to mildew and rot, stunting your basil’s growth. Water your plants deeply once a week. Basil planted in containers requires more frequent watering as the soil dries faster than ground soil.

4. Water the Soil Not The Leaves

While watering, add water to the base of the plant, avoiding showering the leaves and stems. A slow, deep soaking method is best. Drip irrigation systems also work well. Mulching around plants also helps to retain and conserve water while keeping weeds at bay.

5. Let The Sun Shine In

Basil plants like a good amount of sun. Position your plants in a nice sunny spot where they can receive six to eight hours of sun per day, away from cold winds. If growing indoors, place containers on a sunny windowsill that lets in enough light.

6. Fertilize Properly

Like most plants, basil also benefit from a nutrient boost. Feed your basil plants with a good organic fertilizer every four to six weeks for indoor plants and every 2-3 weeks for outdoor. A well-balanced fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate, will help to boost leaf production.

7. Harvest Early and Often

With basil, harvesting and pruning are essentially the same thing. Follow the tips below for pruning and use what you pruned a your harvest.

Start harvesting your basil early, continuing to harvest every week or two throughout the season. If you notice flower buds starting to form on your mature plant, it’s definitely time to prune. If not, the plant will put its energy into making seeds, rather than more of its delicious foliage. Plus flowering changes the flavor of the basil. If you’re late to the game and flowers have started to form, simply pinch off the flower heads, which are also edible.

It’s tempting to be over zealous when harvesting your basil, but it’s best to only harvest twenty percent of your basil plant each time. Leaving enough leaves on your plant enables it to grow at a faster rate.

8. Prune Like A Pro

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Farmers’ Almanac (@farmersalmanac)

Pruning is the key to making your basil plant grow big and bushy. It may seem counterproductive to be cutting away when you want the plant to grow bigger, however, properly pruning your basil plant has everything to do with its growing success.

Follow these steps to prune your basil.

1. Make sure your plants are 6″ tall or larger before you start pruning.
2. Use herb pruning shears or small scissors help to ensure a clean cut.
3. Don’t just randomly pick a leaf and snip. The leaves you trim will determine the continued health of your basil plant. Your pruning shears may be drawn to those large, deep green leaves found at the bottom of your plant, but keep those intact. These are the powerhouses of your plant and are needed to take in the sunlight and provide the rest of the plant with ample nutrients. Instead, pick the smaller ones growing at the top. Basil leaves grow in two leaves in opposite directions, sending up a stalk in the middle, which grow two more leaves. Locate those new tiny leaves that are forming on the branch and cut the stem just above the new leaves you identified, being careful to leave the new growth of leaves intact. Each time you prune the leaves at the top of your plant, it allows two new branches (and two new sets of leaves) to grow from that spot. When you prune again, new branches will grow exponentially bigger with each correct pruning, creating that bushiness you want.

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Basil FAQ

How do I make my basil plant bushier?

Pinch the top growing tip just above a leaf node when the plant is 6 inches tall. This activates the two side buds at that node, doubling the branch count. Repeat every 2 to 3 weeks. By midsummer a single seedling becomes a 24-branched bushy plant.

Why is my basil plant leggy and tall?

Not pinched at the right time. Basil naturally grows straight up unless the top is removed; once pinched, it branches outward. Other causes: too little sun (needs 6+ hours direct), too cold (below 65 F slows growth), and over-watered.

How much sun does basil need?

6+ hours direct sun is ideal. Less than 4 hours produces weak leggy plants. Indoor basil needs to sit in a south-facing window or under grow lights to get enough light.

Should I let my basil flower?

No, not if you want continued leaf production. Once basil bolts (flowers), leaf flavor declines and the plant directs energy to seed production. Pinch off flower buds as soon as they appear to keep leaf production going.

How often should I water basil?

Keep soil moist but never waterlogged. In hot weather that may mean daily. Test by sticking your finger 1 inch into the soil; water when it feels dry at that depth. Water at the soil line, never overhead.

Natalie LaVolpe

Natalie LaVolpe is a freelance writer and former special education teacher. She is dedicated to healthy living through body and mind. She currently resides on Long Island, New York, with her husband, children, and dog.

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