Basil leaves will grow bigger and healthier with a 5-second task every week

Basil is a popular herb in the kitchen, but many people find it hard to grow properly. When the weather heats up, the herb can start to flower, which causes it to focus all its energy on creating seeds rather than growing bushier leaves.

Basil is generally a low-maintenance herb, often left to thrive in a pot on its own. But without a quick, straightforward action, it won’t grow as desired.

When the weather warms up, basil plants may start to bloom, diverting their energy into seed production instead of growing larger leaves. This shift leads to smaller, tougher leaves that are not only hard to chew but also have a bitter taste, rendering them unsuitable for culinary use. However, Cynthia from Grow Better Veggies has revealed a tip for cultivating fuller, sweeter basil leaves: regular pinching.

Cynthia explained: “I’ve talked to loads of people who seem to have trouble with basil. They plant it out in their herb garden or kitchen garden, and find that it never gets very big or bushy.”

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She advises: “The key to its success is pinch, pinch, pinching. Even at this very young age, we pinch off the top. No scissors or clippers required, the growing tip is easily removed with just your fingernails.”, reports the Express.

While it might seem odd, pinching the basil actually postpones flowering and redirects the plant’s efforts towards leaf growth. By focusing on leaf production, the basil leaves remain tender and become even tastier.

Since basil is an annual, it tends to die after flowering. By delaying the flowering process, the plant stays healthier and lives significantly longer.

Not only does this technique result in larger leaves, but it also stimulates the plant to produce more side shoots, leading to a significantly larger harvest. Here’s how to grow bigger basil leaves. First, identify the leaf nodes on your basil plant. These will appear as a bump in the center of the main stem where two leaves are sprouting opposite each other.

Use your fingers to snap off the stem growing above these leaves. Be careful not to disturb the leaves themselves, as they will develop into new basil branches.

During the summer months, it’s quite common for basil plants to flower. Therefore, it’s important to inspect your plant at least once a week to spot any new bumps and remove any emerging buds.

If you observe an abundance of flowers on your basil plant, it might be time to consider getting a new plant or taking a cutting. At this stage, the basil is nearing the end of its life cycle and will only survive a few more weeks.

Investing a little time in this quick and easy task can greatly enhance the health of your basil, whether you’re growing it indoors in your kitchen or outside in your garden.

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