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Pruning guide

How to prune licorice basil

Best time
Pinch tips at 15–20 cm height; remove flower spikes as soon as they appear
How often
Every 1–2 weeks throughout the growing season
Technique
Pinch the topmost pair of leaves and the shoot tip between finger and thumb. When flower spikes emerge, cut the entire spike back to the nearest leaf node with clean scissors. Harvest from the top down, always cutting above a leaf pair.

More licorice basil care

Pruning licorice basil — FAQ

When should I prune licorice basil?

Pinch tips at 15–20 cm height; remove flower spikes as soon as they appear. Pinch the topmost pair of leaves and the shoot tip between finger and thumb. When flower spikes emerge, cut the entire spike back to the nearest leaf node with clean scissors. Harvest from the top down, always cutting above a leaf pair.

How often does licorice basil need pruning?

Every 1–2 weeks throughout the growing season. Licorice Basil needs regular pinching to stay bushy and delay bolting, just like all Ocimum basilicum varieties. Pinch out the central growing tip once plants reach 15–20 cm. Remove flower spikes promptly as soon as they appear — flowering triggers leaf toughening and eventually plant death in this annual herb.

How do you prune licorice basil?

Pinch the topmost pair of leaves and the shoot tip between finger and thumb. When flower spikes emerge, cut the entire spike back to the nearest leaf node with clean scissors. Harvest from the top down, always cutting above a leaf pair.