You are doing it all wrong. The right way to prune basil for a huge bushy look

1. Understanding Basil Growth Patterns
Basil is a fast-growing annual herb that thrives in warm, sunny conditions. It grows from a central stem and produces pairs of leaves opposite each other. As the plant matures, it will naturally try to flower and set seed, which can signal the end of its life cycle. To keep basil producing leaves, it’s crucial to understand its growth pattern and intervene at the right time.
Each time you prune basil, you encourage it to branch out. By cutting just above a pair of leaves, you stimulate the plant to produce two new stems from the leaf nodes. This branching effect is what leads to a bushier plant. Ideally, you should start pruning when the plant is about 6 inches tall, allowing it to develop a strong structure early on.
2. The Importance of Pruning for Basil Health

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