What is what to do when basil starts flowering?

When your basil plant starts to flower, it's a sign that it's reached the end of its vegetative growth cycle and is focusing its energy on reproduction. This can result in a noticeable change in the flavor and texture of the leaves. Here's what you can do:

• Pinch off the flowers: The most important thing is to remove the flowers as soon as you see them. This redirects the plant's energy back into leaf production, prolonging the harvest. Snip or pinch off the flower spikes (the buds that are about to bloom) along with the top set of leaves at the node (where the leaves meet the stem). This encourages the plant to produce more side shoots, leading to a bushier plant. Learn more about pruning your basil by visiting Pruning Basil.

• Monitor Regularly: Basil is quick to flower, so check your plants every few days and pinch off any new flower buds that appear.

• Consider Harvesting: If your basil plant produces many flowers, it means it's nearing the end of its life. If the flowering is excessive and you can't keep up with pinching them off, consider harvesting all the remaining leaves and preserving them by freezing, drying, or making pesto. Learn more about Harvesting Basil.

• Accept and Adapt: Eventually, basil will always flower. If the plant has become too woody or the leaves are no longer flavorful, it might be time to let it go. You can collect the seeds from the flowers to plant next year. If you want continuous basil, plant seeds every few weeks to have a constant supply. Look into Basil Varieties for types that may flower later or are more resistant to bolting (flowering).

• Understand 'Bolting': The term for a plant flowering prematurely is called "Bolting". Bolting is often caused by stress factors like hot weather or inconsistent watering, so try to keep your basil happy to delay it.