How to prune holy basil (tulsi)

Pinch tips once the plant is 20 cm tall; remove flower spikes before they fully open if prolonging leaf harvest. Pinch or cut stems just above a leaf node. For leaf harvest, remove flowering spikes entirely at their base. Allow some flowers to set seed if you want to save seed or use the plant for religious purposes.

Every 1–2 weeks during active growth if maintaining for leaf production. Holy basil bolts readily and is often grown partly for its flowers and seeds, but pinching extends leaf harvest significantly. Pinch growing tips and flower buds regularly if you want a bushy, leafy plant for cooking or tea. If growing for spiritual or seed purposes, allow it to flower freely. It is a short-lived perennial treated as an annual in cool climates.

Pinch or cut stems just above a leaf node. For leaf harvest, remove flowering spikes entirely at their base. Allow some flowers to set seed if you want to save seed or use the plant for religious purposes.