Basil is a fast growing herb that is very suitable for growing in a pot. Since it doesn't grow more than a foot and its roots are not invasive at all, it is perfectly suited to living in containers. However, it has a small but important problem: when it blooms it usually dries up.
Knowing this, How to prevent the basil from blooming and thus make it last longer?
What to do so that it does not produce flowers?
The answer is simple: pruning it. Producing flowers is a significant energy expenditure for basil - and, indeed, all plants - but has the added drawback that our protagonist is often grown as an annual in temperate regions of the globe since the climate in winter it's too cold for her.
However, if it is pruned, it prevents it from blooming, and also has a more interesting development with many more branches and leaves.
When and how is basil pruned?
When was it pruned? Throughout the year. As it has very tender stems We can use scissors such as sewing scissors previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol. With them we remove the newest leaves from each stem once a month.
This will force him to produce lower stems, a job for which he will consume energy. As a consequence, even if it is your flowering season, you will not have the strength for your flowers.
As it will not flower and will have more stems, it will also have a better chance of surviving the winter if it is protected from the cold and especially from frost. Even so, and if you have doubts as to whether your plant will be able to resist, place it in a room without drafts in which a lot of natural light enters and water it no more than twice a week. With the arrival of spring, take it outside and put it in semi-shade so it can continue growing.
What to do if the basil blooms?
If we are careless and / or cannot, our plant may flourish. This It is a natural reaction, and its purpose is to produce seeds that, if they have the opportunity, they will become new specimens of basil. For this reason, we can choose to leave the flowers to him, in which case he will spend a lot of energy on them, or to cut them so that he continues to develop leaves.
To remove them you have to take a pair of scissors and cut the flower stem at the part closest to the leaves. In this way, you will make your plant grow wider and last longer.
How many times does basil bloom?
To be attentive you have to know that this plant blooms in summer. In the northern hemisphere it is from June to September. It needs heat to be able to do this, so it will only do it for a few months out of the year.
The duration of the flowers as well as the flowering season can vary depending on the climate of the place as well as the state of health of the plant itself, but assuming that it is grown in an area with a warm climate and is well cared for, surely that it will bloom all season.
Therefore, if we want it to use its energy to produce more leaves, we will have to prune it from the beginning of spring.
Can you eat flowered basil?
Yes, although I do not recommend it. As we have mentioned, keeping flowers alive involves a significant energy expenditure. If we also remove leaves, we will force you to consume even more energy in healing those wounds that we cause each time we remove one. This can greatly weaken it, even making it vulnerable to pests.
Therefore, before doing anything it is better to decide whether or not we want it to have flowers, and from there take the measures that we consider appropriate so that the basil is well.
Where to buy basil?
Basil is an aromatic that is very easy to care for. So if you don't have yours yet, don't hesitate to get it here:
