Pruning Guide

Prune early and often. Once your basil plant has 3–4 sets of leaves, start pruning.

Cut just above a leaf node (where two leaves emerge from the stem). This encourages the plant to branch out and grow bushier.

Never remove more than one-third of the plant at a time.

Compact and bushy, Greek basil benefits from frequent pinching.

Pinch or cut stems just above a leaf cluster once the plant reaches about 6 inches tall.

Remove flower buds to keep foliage production strong and flavors concentrated.

Similar to Genovese basil, prune once the plant has several sets of true leaves.

Cut just above a leaf node to promote dense, compact growth.

Regular trimming boosts leaf production and delays flowering.🌱

Like thyme, avoid cutting into woody stems.

Trim the soft green growth to maintain shape and encourage branching.

Light pruning every couple of weeks keeps rosemary neat and productive. 

Prune aggressively! Mint grows fast and benefits from regular trims.

Cut stems just above a pair of leaves to promote side growth.

If flowering begins, snip off the buds to preserve flavor and foliage.

Once your sage has a solid base, prune the upper leaves to stimulate fuller growth.

Clip just above a set of leaves, encouraging the plant to expand outward.

In spring, a harder prune can rejuvenate the plant after dormancy.

Harvest young leaves regularly to prevent legginess.

Snip outer stems near the base using clean scissors—this promotes fresh inner growth.

If you're growing it for seeds, let the plant mature and flower; otherwise, remove flower buds early to prolong leaf production.

Avoid overharvesting; always leave some foliage for photosynthesis and recovery.

Regularly snip back new growth to keep the plant compact.

Cut just above a node on a green, non-woody stem.

Avoid cutting into older, woody stems, as they may not regrow.

Use scissors to cut chives down to about 1–2 inches above the soil.

Frequent harvesting helps keep them tender and encourages fresh shoots.

Flower buds can be snipped off or left to bloom if you enjoy their edible flowers

For flat or curly parsley, cut stems at the base rather than snipping just the tops.

This promotes stronger regrowth from the center.

Harvest outer stems first and allow inner ones to continue developing.

Dill grows quickly and bolts easily (goes to seed).

Snip stems from the top to encourage bushier growth at the base.

Remove flower buds early if you want more leaves—unless you're after seeds.

Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.

Always prune above leaf nodes to stimulate growth.

Harvest in the morning for peak flavor and essential oil content.

Never remove more than ⅓ of the plant at a time to avoid stress.