How to Harvest Basil for a Continuous Supply of Fresh Herbs

Fresh basil is a great addition to any culinary garden. It's easy to care for, tastes delicious, and has an aromatic smell that can deter common garden pests like aphids and mites. One way to keep this plant in your garden (or on your windowsill) productive for longer is by harvesting it. Periodically snipping leaves or stems from your basil plant encourages it to put energy into creating new growth. To ensure you're harvesting this plant correctly, we spoke to gardening experts who explain how to harvest basil leaves and basil stems, as well as how to store them.

When to Harvest Basil

Harvest basil when the plant reaches 6 to 8 inches tall and has at least four sets of leaves. "You can also harvest throughout the growing season, ideally before the plant flowers," says Sally McCabe, associate director of community education for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Harvest in the morning on a day when your basil plant hasn't seen water or rain for a few days, as this is when the oils are most concentrated.

How to Harvest Basil Leaves

Harvesting individual basil leaves will keep the plant balanced and well-tended, says Lisa Hilgenberg, horticulturist in the Regenstein fruit and vegetable garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This is a good method if you only need a few leaves at a time. To harvest just the leaves, gently pinch off each leaf where the stem meets the main branch. "Start from the topmost leaves and work your way down to encourage bushier growth," says McCabe.

How to Harvest Basil Stems

Harvesting basil stems encourages the plant to produce foliage more vigorously. "For full stems, use sharp shears or pruners to cut just above a leaf node (the bump where a new leaf grows)," says McCable. "This will also encourage new growth at that spot." During summer, harvest basil stems every two to three weeks until the first frost for bushy, healthy plants, says Hilgenberg.

How to Store Fresh Basil

The best way to store fresh basil is by removing the lower leaves and placing the stems in a glass of water on your countertop like you would flowers, says McCabe. If you're harvesting just the leaves, wrap them in a damp paper towel and keep them in a resealable bag. Alternatively, you can freeze the leaves in ice trays filled with water, then seal them in freezer bags for longer storage. To dry basil leaves, hang the branches upside down and store them in an air-tight container once dry.