How Best To Pick Basil Leaves

The best way to pick basil leaves is to snip them right above a pair of healthy leaves, and not just to pluck single leaves from the top.
 
You don’t want to be grabbing leaves haphazardly or pulling them off in a way that leaves bare, leafless stems sticking out of the plant.
 
When you pick basil leaves the right way, the plant actually rewards you with even more growth, giving you a bushier and bigger harvest for the rest of the season.
 
Learning how to pick basil leaves properly is one of those simple kitchen garden skills that makes a huge difference in how much you get to cook with all summer long.
 
You can pick basil leaves as soon as the plant has at least three to four sets of true leaves, and this is a great time to start since the plant is already strong enough for its first pruning.
 
In this post, we’ll walk you through the exact technique to pick basil leaves for continuous growth, the best time of day to do it, and how to store those delicious leaves once they’re in your kitchen.
 
Let’s jump right in and get your basil plant producing like crazy.
 

Why You Should Pick Basil Leaves From The Top Down

The number one rule to remember when you want to pick basil leaves for the long haul is to focus on the top of the plant and not the bottom.
 
If you always harvest from the top down, you’ll encourage the plant to branch out from those lower leaf nodes.
 
That means more stems, more leaves, and a much fuller plant overall.
 
Here’s why this works and how to do it correctly.
 

1. Pinch Or Snip Above A Leaf Node

The most effective way to pick basil leaves is to use your fingers to pinch, or small scissors to snip, the stem right above a set of leaves.
 
When you pick basil leaves in this spot, you’re removing the growing tip, which signals the plant to send out two new shoots from the leaf axils below the cut.
 
Always make your cut at a slight angle, and this helps prevent water from sitting on the cut stem and causing rot.
 
If you simply pick basil leaves off the top of a long stem without cutting the stem itself, you’ll be left with a bare stalk that won’t grow new leaves.
 
So grab just about a quarter of an inch above a leaf pair and make that clean snip.
 

2. Leave The Lower Leaves Alone

When you pick basil leaves, it’s tempting to strip the big ones off the bottom of the plant.
 
But those bottom leaves are actually solar panels for the plant, and they help fuel all that new growth up top.
 
If you remove them all, your basil plant will struggle to photosynthesize and will slow way down in its production.
 
Only harvest the top two to three pairs of leaves on each stem.
 
By leaving the lower leaves alone, you’re keeping a steady supply of energy flowing to the new shoots, and this method pays off with a much bigger plant over time.
 

3. Pick Basil Leaves Before The Plant Flowers

Timing is everything when you want to pick basil leaves for peak flavor.
 
As soon as you see flower buds starting to form at the top of the plant, pinch them off right away.
 
If you let the plant flower, the leaves will turn bitter, and the plant will stop putting energy into leaf production.
 
So the best time to pick basil leaves is regularly, and you should never let more than a week go by without checking for those early flower buds.
 
Each time you pick basil leaves, you’re really performing a little pruning session that resets the plant’s clock.
 
This constant picking keeps the plant in a vegetative state, which means you get tender, sweet leaves all season long.
 

When Is The Best Time Of Day To Pick Basil Leaves

The time of day you go out to pick basil leaves matters more than you might think.
 
Early morning is hands down the best time to harvest any herb, including basil.
 
In the morning, the leaves are full of water and essential oils, because the plant has been replenishing its moisture overnight.
 
The leaves are also at their crispest and most aromatic, making them perfect for adding fresh to salads or pesto.
 
If you can’t pick basil leaves in the morning, late evening is a decent second choice, as the plant has had all day to recover from the heat of the afternoon.
 
Avoid picking in the hot midday sun because that’s when the leaves lose some of their moisture and can look a bit wilted.
 
Also, don’t pick basil leaves right after a heavy rain, since the wet leaves can get bruised more easily when you handle them.
 
The drier and cooler the leaves are, the better they’ll store and the longer they’ll last in your fridge.
 

How To Store Basil Leaves After You Pick Them

Once you’ve picked basil leaves, you can’t just toss them in the fridge in a plastic bag and call it a day.
 
They’ll turn black and mushy pretty quickly if you do, since they’re very sensitive to cold and moisture.
 
Here’s the best way to store freshly picked leaves so they stay green and fragrant for as long as possible.
 

1. The Glass Jar Method For Short-Term Storage

Treat your basil stems like cut flowers if you want to keep them fresh for a few days.
 
Take the stems you’ve picked and put them in a glass of water, just like a bouquet.
 
Cover the top of the glass loosely with a plastic bag and leave it on your kitchen counter.
 
This way, you can pick basil leaves as you need them for the whole week, and the plant won’t wilt.
 
Keep the jar out of direct sunlight, because you don’t want the leaves to cook, and change the water every couple of days.
 

2. Freeze The Leaves For Long-Term Use

If you’ve had a big harvest and picked more basil leaves than you can use, freezing is your best friend.
 
You can freeze the leaves whole, or chop them up and mix them with a little olive oil in an ice cube tray.
 
This way, when you pick basil leaves in the summer and pop them in the freezer, you can have that fresh basil flavor in soups and sauces all winter long.
 
Just remember that frozen basil won’t be great for fresh salads, but it’s perfect for any cooked dish.
 

So, What Is The Best Way To Pick Basil Leaves?

The best way to pick basil leaves is to cut the stems just above a pair of leaves, preferably in the cool of the morning.
 
You should always prioritize the top growth over the bottom growth, and pinch off any flower buds you see before they can open.
 
When you pick basil leaves this way, your plant will grow bushier and keep producing for many months.
 
It’s a simple practice that rewards you with an endless supply of fragrant leaves for all your favorite recipes.
 
You have all the knowledge you need to go out there and pick basil leaves like a pro, so get started and enjoy the fruits of your labor.