Basil flowers are delightful in salads and for tea, but plucking them also benefits the growth and aroma of the green leaves that are so tasty in cooking.
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When a basil flowers, most gardeners quickly remove the blossoms to increase the plant’s leaf development and prevent them from turning bitter. After all, it’s the pungent leaves that season our delicious dishes, not the flowers on basil. Basil grows in the warm season, usually from seed, producing a small bushy plant that produces attractive flowers over time. But do we have to pinch off the pretty blooms?
Basil is a popular herb used in many dishes from pesto to Caprese salad Its distinct flavor comes from essential oils in the leaves As a warm-weather annual, basil thrives in the heat of summer but can bolt and flower as temperatures climb. This leads many gardeners to ask can I plant basil flowers?
The short answer is yes! Basil flowers can be used to collect seeds and propagate new plants. However timing is crucial when managing basil blooms. In this article we’ll explore when and how to take advantage of basil flowers in your garden.
When Does Basil Flower?
Basil is triggered to flower by heat and the age of the plant. Basil grows best at 70-85°F. Once temps hit the 90s, you may see flower buds form. Plants grown in partial shade are less likely to bolt.
Older basil past 6-8 weeks of growth will likely bolt and flower as it reaches maturity. Pinching off flowers can prolong leaf production. But eventually the plant focuses energy on seed production and blooms.
Well-cared for basil may flower in mid-summer. Blooming continues until frost kills the plants in fall. Flowers are either white or purple depending on the variety.
Should I Remove Basil Flowers?
Many gardeners remove flowers to promote leaf growth. Why? Once flowering starts, leaves often get smaller and lose flavor as the plant directs energy to seeds.
Pinching off blooms tells the plant to redirect growth back into leaves and stems. For culinary basil, removing flowers extends the harvest.
However, leaving some flowers allows seed collection. Don’t pinch all blooms. It’s best to remove flowers on young plants and let mature, 6-8 week old plants flower for seeds.
When to Harvest Basil Flowers for Seeds
To save basil seeds, let flowers fully develop and go to seed. Here’s the timeline:
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Flower buds form on stem tips first. Allow them to open.
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Petals fall off and the flower spikes elongate.
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Seeds develop and turn brown when ripe.
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Harvest entire dry, brown seed spikes.
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Hang seed heads to dry for 1-2 weeks.
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Crumble dry spikes to separate seeds.
Basil seeds stay viable for up to 5 years when stored properly!
How to Plant Basil Seeds
Growing basil from seed provides a steady supply for summer harvests. Follow these tips:
Start Seeds Indoors
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Basil needs 70°F soil to germinate. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost.
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Use seed starter mix. Plant 1-2 seeds per cell in a tray. Lightly cover with soil.
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Keep moist and provide bright light. Thin to 1 seedling per cell after sprouting.
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Harden off before transplanting outdoors after all frost danger passes.
Direct Sow Outdoors
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Once soil is 70°F, directly sow seeds outside. Prepare a bed with compost.
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Sow 1⁄4 inch deep in rows or clusters, 2-4 inches apart. Cover lightly with soil.
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Keep moist until seeds germinate in 7-14 days. Thin or transplant clumps 12-15 inches apart.
Ongoing Care
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Pinch off flowers and harvest leaves before full size to prolong productivity.
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Apply mulch and provide nutrients with compost or fertilizer.
Troubleshooting Basil Flowers and Bolting
If basil flowers and bolts too quickly, here are some common causes:
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High temperatures – Provide shade and choose heat-tolerant varieties.
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Old plants – Harvest frequently to keep young. Start new plants every 2-3 weeks.
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Insufficient nutrients – Stress can cause bolting. Ensure regular water and fertilizer.
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Excess nitrogen – Causes bolting. Use a balanced organic fertilizer.
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Transplant shock – Direct sow or gently transplant and wait 1-2 weeks before harvesting.
Enjoying Basil Flowers
While removing most flowers maximizes leaves, don’t waste blooms! Basil flowers have milder flavor. Try these uses:
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Garnish dishes with whole flowers.
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Add to salads.
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Stuff with cheese or fry into fritters.
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Dry or freeze to retain flavor out of season.
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Infuse vinegar or oil.
With proper timing, basil flowers provide delicious seeds and unique culinary options. Planning helps sustain leaf production. Now you can confidently plant basil flowers using this guide on blooming, seed harvesting, and troubleshooting! Enjoy growing and cooking flavorful basil year after year.
Should I Let My Basil Flower?
When a basil is flowering, it becomes a magnet for numerous beneficial pollinators. The sweet scent and bright blooms are attractive to bees and other insects. Thus, a basil plant flowering can be a good thing for your other plants and can help enhance fruit production.
However, the flowering also signals reproduction, which isn’t required in a plant grown for its foliage unless you want to save seed. Removing the flowers when they are first spotted will help keep the spicy flavor of the leaves sweet. Letting the flowers continue can lead to less flavor in the foliage. So, leaving flowers on basil is strictly an individual choice, but removing them allows the plant to direct its energy to the formation of leaves, rather than blooms.
What to Do With Basil Flowers
Basil flowers are edible. They have a milder flavor than the leaves and can sometimes be a bit bitter. They are attractive and tasty when sprinkled on a salad. The flowers are also nice garnishes for anything that generally goes with basil, such as cheese or pasta.
Basil flowers may also be used to make an aromatic oil or vinegar. Wash the flowers and let them air dry. Then immerse them in a mild vinegar or olive oil. Let the flowers steep in the vinegar for a week, and 1 month for the oil. Strain out the solids and store the vinegar or oil in a cool, dark location.
Your Basil Plant is Flowering. Here’s what to do!
FAQ
How to plant a basil flower?
Basil can be sown outdoors once temperatures warm up in early summer, at a minimum of 15°C (59°F). It needs a sheltered, warm, sunny sowing site, with free-draining soil. Seedlings must be protected from slugs and snails. Basil can also be sown in containers of multi-purpose compost.
Is it okay if my basil plant flowers?
What can I do with basil flowers?
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Salads:Basil flowers add a mild basil flavor and a decorative touch when sprinkled over salads.
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Garnish:They can be used as a garnish for pasta, cheese, or other dishes that pair well with basil.
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Pesto:Basil flowers can be incorporated into pesto recipes, replacing or supplementing basil leaves, says Texas Olive Ranch.
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Tea:Basil flowers can be steeped in hot water to make a flavorful tea, according to Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials.
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Other Dishes:Basil flowers can be added to soups, stews, and even fried zucchini flower recipes.
When does Basil flower?
From enhancing dishes with their subtle flavor to attracting beneficial insects to your garden, basil flowers are versatile and worth exploring. Why is my basil flowering? Basil typically begins to flower 6 to 8 weeks after planting out, when the plant is mature, usually in mid to late summer.
What does it mean when a basil plant blooms?
Basil flowering means that the plant has matured and is preparing for reproduction by producing flowers instead of leaves. Factors contributing to early blooming include age, temperature stress, irregular light exposure, and soil conditions.
Does Basil flower?
Basil is typically used for its foliage, but it can flower. “For ultimate foliage production for culinary use, prune the plant to encourage bushiness and to prevent flowering,” says Riccio. You can save basil seeds and sow them again the following year, meaning you’ll always have a supply in your garden.