How to trim basil leaves?

When harvesting basil don’t strip the leaves from the plant. Leave about an inch of stems on the bunch. The leaves can be dried and used for herbal tea or as a garnish, but for pest control, you need the herb’s essential oils to be present. To keep the plant looking nice and bushy, trim the basil every couple of weeks. Snip off the ends of the stems, then remove any yellowing leaves.

How to trim basil leaves with knife?

Using your sharpest kitchen knife, cut a bunch of basil at an angle, removing the leaves from the stems. Always do this near the end of the plant's life cycle, when the leaves are dry and have a little less flavor. After removing the basil leaves, you can compost them and start a new batch.

How to trim basil with scissors?

Using a sharp pair of scissors, simply snip off the ends of the basil leaves, leaving a 1-inch or 2-inch of the pointed tip. Large leaves can sometimes be cut into smaller pieces. You can also use a sharp kitchen knife to cut off the ends of the basil.

How to trim basil leaves without cutting?

To prevent bruising and discoloration, cut basil leaves just above a pair of leaves that are slightly closer to the center of a bunch. Lift the leaves off their stems and place them in a pile on your cutting board. Using a small, sharp knife, cut the basil leaves into a pile of small pieces.

How to trim basil leaves without cutting into pieces?

You can use a sharp kitchen knife to cut off the petals and sturdy leaves of basil. Just make sure that you don’t cut the basil into small pieces. Instead, snip off the big and thick leaves as you would any other herb. This method allows the plant to continue to produce fresh basil for you.