When basil bursts into bloom, you may take this as a sign to start new plants. But there’s no need to let the flowers go to waste. There are lots of ways to use basil flowers, both in the kitchen (yes they are edible!) and around the home.
Basil is a beloved herb in gardens and kitchens worldwide, prized for its aromatic leaves and distinctive flavor. But what happens when your basil plants start to flower?
These flowers, often seen as a sign that the plant is past its prime, actually offer a range of culinary and practical uses. 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. However, the exact timing can vary depending on the specific variety of basil, growing conditions, and climate. Some varieties may flower earlier or later than others.
However, basil can sometimes flower early due to stress factors such as heat, drought, or nutrient deficiency. This is also known as ‘bolting’. Read more here: What is Bolting and How to Manage It.
What to do when basil starts flowering
When basil starts to flower, gardeners face a choice: to pinch off the flowers or let them bloom. Both approaches have their merits, depending on your goals for the plant.
Should you remove basil flowers?
When basil flowers, it shifts its energy from leaf growth to reproduction. This not only reduces leaf yield but can also lead to a more bitter flavor in the remaining leaves.
Removing basil flowers, often called pinching, can delay this shift away from leaf production, extending the harvest period. Simply keep an eye out for the appearance of basil flower buds, and pinch them off at the first sign.
Regular pruning and harvesting also helps prevent early flowering, and also encourages the plant to branch out, resulting in a fuller plant with bushier growth.
For gardeners in shorter growing seasons, removing flowers can be crucial in delaying bolting and extending the plant’s productive stage.
Should you let basil flower?
While pinching has its advantages, there are compelling reasons to allow basil to flower.
If you’re interested in seed saving, letting flowers develop and set seed is necessary. This allows you to collect seeds for future planting, potentially saving money and preserving favorite varieties.
Basil flowers play a crucial role in supporting pollinators. They’re excellent at attracting bees and other beneficial insects to your garden, which can improve overall garden health and productivity.
From a culinary perspective, basil flowers are edible and offer a mild basil flavor. They can be a unique ingredient for creative cooking, adding visual appeal and a subtle taste to various dishes.
Letting basil flower also aligns with its natural lifecycle. While the leaf flavor may change, some gardeners and chefs enjoy the more complex flavor profile of basil after it has flowered.
What to do withbasil flowers?
Basil flowers are edible, and can be used in the same way as basil leaves. However, it’s important to note that the flavor of basil flowers can be more delicate and sometimes slightly bitter compared to the leaves.
The taste can vary depending on the basil variety and growing conditions, so it’s always wise to sample the flowers before incorporating them into your dishes or serving them to others.
Beyond the kitchen, basil flowers have several non-culinary uses that make them a valuable garden resource.
1. Use as a garnish
Use the flowers to add a decorative and flavorful touch to salads, soups, or pasta dishes.
Here are some ideas to try:
- Add flower heads to a caprese salad oftomato, basil leavesand mozzarella
- Use them to garnish bruschetta
- Scatter purple basil flowers over a tossed green salad for a pop of color
2. Make basil flower infused vinegar
A great way to use the essential oils from basil flowers is to makebasil flower vinegar– this is easy to make by infusing the flowers inwhite vinegar in a glass jar or bottle.
>>Related article: How to make basil flower vinegar.
Similarly, you can infuse them inolive oilto makebasil flower oil. Both are great for adding a delicious basil flavor tosalad dressingsand marinades.
3. Try brewing basil flower tea
To make basil tea, add flowers to a teapot or cup, and pour on hot water (water just off the boil is the best temperature). Allow the tea to steep for 3-4 minutes, then strain to remove the flowers before drinking.
You can also make a mixed herb tea usinglavender, lemon balm and/or mint along with the basil flowers.
4. Make basil flower butter
Basil flowers make a tasty addition to herb butter, and purple basil flowers also add a pop of color!
Try using our basic recipe for making herb butter, switching out the herbs for basil flowers: How to Make Herb Butter (from any fresh herbs)
5. Make basil flower pesto
Basil flower pesto is a tasty twist on regular basil pesto. It has a slightly more bitter flavor than pesto made from basil leaves, so you might want to use a mixture of leaves and flowers to mellow the flavor out a little.
The great thing about making pesto is that you can try it as you go and add more to taste until you get the balance of flavors right.
>> Related post: How to make pesto with fresh basil
6. Make basil flower compound butter
Mix chopped basil flowers, some crushed garlic and a little salt into softened butter for a flavorful spread.
>> More details: How to Make Herb Butter (from any fresh herbs)
7. Add them to ice cubes
Freeze basil flowers in ice cubes to make beautiful additions for your summer co*cktails.
8. Make flavored salt
Mix dried and crushed basil flowers with sea salt for a gourmet seasoning.
9. Cut them and keep them
Basil flowers are attractive, and if you are going to cut them off the plant to encourage further growth of leaves, you can keep the flowers and display them. Either with a little water in abud vaseor use dried basil flowers to make potpourri.
10. Leave them to flowerand collect the seeds
If basil flowers add color to your herb garden, smell wonderful, and attract pollinating insects such as bees to your garden.
If you allow your basil to bloom, seeds will form inside the flower heads. Then you can collect the basil seeds, and use them to replant your basil in the spring!
>> Related post: How to Harvest Basil Seeds
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eatbasil flowers?
Yes you can! Fresh basil flowers are edible and can be used just as you’d use basil leaves, for example in salads or as a garnish. They are great with tomatoes and can be used in sauces and salsas.
Is basil still good after it flowers?
You can still use basil leaves after the plant has flowered, but you may find that the flavor is reduced.
Does basil die after flowering?
No, basil will survive after flowering, however, it is likely it will die as the temperatures drop during autumn and winter. Basil is an annual herb in all but the warmest climates.
Can you grow basil from the flowers?
A new basil plant won’t grow from a flower head cuttings (it needs leaves to grow).
You may also like:
- Growing Basil from a Cutting
- How to Harvest Basil
- How to make pesto with fresh basil
- What to do with Rosemary Cuttings?
