I pick all the flowers off mine before they get to that point. You might get some more leaf growth if you remove them all.
Mimi_Gardens
I grow a few different basils. The standard sweet basil I always harvest BEFORE it gets to this stage. It keeps me in pesto all summer long. The other basils (lemon, cinnamon) I let flower for the pollinators. So if these were mine, I’d leave them be(e).
HealthWealthFoodie
At this stage I usually just let it flower for a while to let the pollinators have at it, then cue it down when I have something else I want to plant there
alpharatsnest
Leave it! Hoverflies LOVE flowering basil as do many others. I let some flower and plant new ones.
badasimo
Let them run their course, they will dry up and you harvest the seed pods, shake em around in a paper bag, you can start them indoors or just plant them around or even eat the seeds
TopBlueberry3
Makes an amazing filler in bouquets! – former flower farmer. Basil is not a fan of the cooler though. If you cut for bouquets, early in the morning best, it will wilt big time if cut too late in the day when the sun starts to really warm it up
Human_G_Gnome
First, I continually harvest the top set of leaves so that they don’t get around to flowering until I am ready in the fall. Second, once they are flowering I leave them. The bees, etc. love them and then when they go to see you can either harvest a few and leave the rest of the small seed eating birds, like goldfinches.
AdPale1230
I still use the flowers in cooking. I just hold it over the pot and strip them into it. I use it in bread as well.
It still works and has great flavor. I’ve never had a luck pinching, they just keep flowering.
muchandquick
I didn’t know basil made such pretty flowers.
BoozeIsTherapyRight
1. pull it out and plant something else, maybe more basil 2. Leave it there and harvest the seeds once they dry.
Personally, I start some basil in pots a month after I transplant my basil seedlings outdoors, then I pull out the bolted basil and stick in the new seedlings so I always have a supply of tasty basil. I’m really sensitive to the bitter flavor of basil that has bolted and I can’t stand the flavor.
docsjs123
I’d prune the sh*t out of them, just above the new growth.
FemaleAndComputer
I keep using it anyway! It’s just a little spicier sometimes lol.
Advanced-Pudding396
The leaves are still great. Pull them and eat them with some steak. Save them by washing and freezing them. The flavor is wonderful.
japie81
I just keep using it
Kushali
Cut the flowers off and use them to garish food? I generally trim the flowers on my herbs a couple times and find they stay usable for a while after they flower that way.
kingpin-mrgamer
Harvest the flowers for seeds
Wild_Kitty_121
That looks like cinnamon basil. Believe it or not, you can make an amazing jelly from it. Make a strong infusion of the flowers and some leaves, then add lemon juice and pectin following the standard process. It’s really tasty and turns a lovely pink color from the acid.
MD_Weedman
Pull it and throw it in the compost, then immediately plant more basil. Plenty of time for a late summer/fall crop.
Injenu
Unless you need the space, let it flower and feed the pollinators.
clowngoddess2025
The flowers are great chopped finely into a salad. You can still dry or freeze the rest. The flavor just won’t be quite as good.
Superditzz
I left my basil flower and go wild all fall/winter. The birds loved it!! And now I have basil growing all over my garden. It’s really great for birds and bees.
Curry_courier
I have Tulsi basil growing that flowers similar to this. It actually tastes better somehow after it flowers.
eloisethebunny
When plants go to flower, generally, I let them so the pollinators can enjoy (rather than immediately yanking out). It’s my little thank you for all they do for the garden and Earth. Then when the flowers die, pull, harvest seeds (if you want), compost/dispose, etc. I have a pet bunny that doesn’t mind the changed taste of greens and herbs that have gone to flower, so they go to her and she enjoys them. Then it’s time for the next season’s crop.
Holiday-Egg6155
Infuse the flowers into simple syrup, strain, and use for herby cocktails
dap00man
Cut the flowers off and keep growing more leaves
bettesue
Leave it for the pollinators
atribecalledquiche
I’ve always just snapped off the flowers and it continues to grow
Same-Confidence9889
I always try to leave the flowers for the pollinators and then just plant new basil nearby.
keemi_casanova
Top it
chadmiral_ackbar
Collect the seeds…
gottagrablunch
Trim all flowers. Cut the stalks down. Eat the basil. Wait for it to grow. Clip flowers when they form.
31 Comments
I pick all the flowers off mine before they get to that point. You might get some more leaf growth if you remove them all.
I grow a few different basils. The standard sweet basil I always harvest BEFORE it gets to this stage. It keeps me in pesto all summer long. The other basils (lemon, cinnamon) I let flower for the pollinators. So if these were mine, I’d leave them be(e).
At this stage I usually just let it flower for a while to let the pollinators have at it, then cue it down when I have something else I want to plant there
Leave it! Hoverflies LOVE flowering basil as do many others. I let some flower and plant new ones.
Let them run their course, they will dry up and you harvest the seed pods, shake em around in a paper bag, you can start them indoors or just plant them around or even eat the seeds
Makes an amazing filler in bouquets! – former flower farmer. Basil is not a fan of the cooler though. If you cut for bouquets, early in the morning best, it will wilt big time if cut too late in the day when the sun starts to really warm it up
First, I continually harvest the top set of leaves so that they don’t get around to flowering until I am ready in the fall. Second, once they are flowering I leave them. The bees, etc. love them and then when they go to see you can either harvest a few and leave the rest of the small seed eating birds, like goldfinches.
I still use the flowers in cooking. I just hold it over the pot and strip them into it. I use it in bread as well.
It still works and has great flavor. I’ve never had a luck pinching, they just keep flowering.
I didn’t know basil made such pretty flowers.
1. pull it out and plant something else, maybe more basil
2. Leave it there and harvest the seeds once they dry.
Personally, I start some basil in pots a month after I transplant my basil seedlings outdoors, then I pull out the bolted basil and stick in the new seedlings so I always have a supply of tasty basil. I’m really sensitive to the bitter flavor of basil that has bolted and I can’t stand the flavor.
I’d prune the sh*t out of them, just above the new growth.
I keep using it anyway! It’s just a little spicier sometimes lol.
The leaves are still great. Pull them and eat them with some steak. Save them by washing and freezing them. The flavor is wonderful.
I just keep using it
Cut the flowers off and use them to garish food? I generally trim the flowers on my herbs a couple times and find they stay usable for a while after they flower that way.
Harvest the flowers for seeds
That looks like cinnamon basil. Believe it or not, you can make an amazing jelly from it. Make a strong infusion of the flowers and some leaves, then add lemon juice and pectin following the standard process. It’s really tasty and turns a lovely pink color from the acid.
Pull it and throw it in the compost, then immediately plant more basil. Plenty of time for a late summer/fall crop.
Unless you need the space, let it flower and feed the pollinators.
The flowers are great chopped finely into a salad. You can still dry or freeze the rest. The flavor just won’t be quite as good.
I left my basil flower and go wild all fall/winter. The birds loved it!! And now I have basil growing all over my garden. It’s really great for birds and bees.
I have Tulsi basil growing that flowers similar to this. It actually tastes better somehow after it flowers.
When plants go to flower, generally, I let them so the pollinators can enjoy (rather than immediately yanking out). It’s my little thank you for all they do for the garden and Earth. Then when the flowers die, pull, harvest seeds (if you want), compost/dispose, etc. I have a pet bunny that doesn’t mind the changed taste of greens and herbs that have gone to flower, so they go to her and she enjoys them. Then it’s time for the next season’s crop.
Infuse the flowers into simple syrup, strain, and use for herby cocktails
Cut the flowers off and keep growing more leaves
Leave it for the pollinators
I’ve always just snapped off the flowers and it continues to grow
I always try to leave the flowers for the pollinators and then just plant new basil nearby.
Top it
Collect the seeds…
Trim all flowers. Cut the stalks down. Eat the basil. Wait for it to grow. Clip flowers when they form.