Can I Plant Basil Flowers? A Guide to Growing Basil From Seed

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 leaves many gardeners wondering can I plant basil flowers to propagate new plants?

The short answer is yes! Basil flowers can be used to collect seeds and grow new basil plants. However timing is important when it comes to basil flowers. Let’s take a look at when and how to use basil flowers to your advantage.

When Does Basil Flower?

Basil is triggered to flower by a variety of factors, most commonly heat and age of the plant. Basil grows best in warm conditions between 70-85°F. Once temperatures climb into the 90s, you may see flower buds start to form. Basil grown in partial shade is less likely to bolt.

The age of the plant also induces flowering. Basil grown from seed that is more than 6-8 weeks old will likely bolt and flower as it reaches maturity. Pinching off flowers can prolong leaf production. But eventually the plant directs its energy towards seed production and flowering.

Well-cared for basil may bloom as early as mid summer, Flowering typically continues until frost kills the plants in fall, The flowers will be either white or purple depending on variety

Should I Pinch Off Basil Flowers?

Many gardeners pinch off basil flowers to encourage more leaf growth. Why? Once basil begins flowering, the leaves often become smaller and less flavorful as the plant focuses energy on seed production.

Pinching off flowers signals to the plant to direct growth back into leaves and stem. For plants grown solely for culinary use, pinching flowers can extend the harvest.

However, leaving some flowers on a few plants will allow you to collect seeds for next year. So don’t pinch off all the blooms. A good rule of thumb is to pinch off flowers on young plants and let more mature, 6-8 week old plants flower for seeds.

When to Harvest Basil Flowers for Seeds

If you want to save basil seeds, you’ll need to let the flowers fully develop and go to seed. Here’s a quick timeline of what to expect:

• Flowers buds will form at the top of stems first. Allow them to open into flowers.

• Once petals drop off, the flower head will elongate into a spike shape.

• Tiny black seeds will develop inside the spike and turn brown when ripe.

• Harvest seed spikes when the majority of seeds are brown. Seeds are very small!

• Cut off the entire seed head spike and place in a paper bag. Hang upside down to dry for 1-2 weeks.

• Separate the dry seeds by crumbling the spikes and filtering out debris. Store seeds in an airtight container.

Basil seeds can remain viable for up to 5 years when stored properly!

How to Plant Basil Seeds

Basil grown from seed provides a continuous supply of plants for harvesting throughout the summer. Follow these steps for planting harvested basil seeds:

Start seeds indoors

Basil requires warm soil of at least 70°F to germinate. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date.

Use a seed starting mix and plant 1-2 seeds per cell in a tray. Cover lightly with soil. Keep soil moist and provide bright light.

Thin seedlings to 1 per cell after sprouting. Harden off before transplanting outdoors after all danger of frost.

Direct sow outdoors

Once soil reaches 70°F, you can directly sow basil seeds outdoors. Prepare a bed in full sun with compost worked into the soil.

Sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep in rows or clusters. Space 2-4 inches apart. Cover with a thin layer of soil.

Keep soil moist until seeds germinate, which takes 7-14 days in warm soil. Thin seedlings or transplant clumps 12-15 inches apart.

Ongoing care

To keep plants producing, pinch off flower heads and harvest leaves regularly before they reach full size. Apply mulch to retain moisture and provide nutrients with compost or fertilizer.

Troubleshooting Basil Flowers and Bolting

If your basil produces flowers and bolts faster than expected, here are a few common causes:

• Hot temperatures – Try providing shade in the hottest part of the day. Choose heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Genovese’ or ‘Italian Large Leaf’.

• Old plants – Harvest more frequently to keep plants young. Start new plants from seed every 2-3 weeks for a continual supply.

• Not enough nutrients – Bolting can be a sign of stress. Make sure plants get regular water and fertilizer.

• Too much nitrogen – Excess nitrogen triggers bolting. Use a balanced organic fertilizer and don’t over-fertilize.

• Shock from transplanting – Sow seeds directly or gently transplant seedlings and wait 1-2 weeks before harvesting.

Enjoying Basil Flowers

While pinching most flowers will maximize leaf production, don’t waste the blooms! Basil flowers have a milder flavor than the leaves. Try these uses:

• Garnish dishes with whole basil flowers for a pop of color and flavor.

• Add to salads for a delicate basil taste.

• Stuff flowers with herbed cheese or dip into batter and fry for fritters.

• Dry or freeze flowers to retain flavor for seasoning out of season.

• Infuse vinegar or oil with fresh flowers for homemade flavored condiments.

So don’t dismay when you see those buds form on your prized basil plants! With proper timing, the flowers provide both delicious seeds for future harvests and unique culinary possibilities. A bit of planning will help keep plants producing an abundance of flavorful leaves.

Armed with this guide on flowering characteristics, seed harvesting, and troubleshooting, you can confidently answer “yes!” when asking can I plant basil flowers from my garden. Enjoy growing and cooking with basil season after season.