I picked up an unmarked basil plant from the farmers market, thinking it was sweet basil, and it's growing quite tall and bushy. However, when I went to harvest some leaves today, I noticed they smell like licorice, and there are no visible flowers on the plant. Did I miss the flowering stage? I'm worried I might have waited too long to harvest. Can this plant be saved, or have I messed it up already? This is my first time growing basil, and I'm eager to learn more about it for my caprese salads. I'm located in zone 5a and plan to watch some YouTube videos to improve my skills.
2 Answers
You definitely don't want your basil to flower yet! Make sure to pinch off any flowers that develop, that way you'll have delicious basil all summer long. A tall and bushy plant is actually a good sign!
There are actually many types of basil out there, so it's possible that your plant is just a variety that doesn't flower as much, or it might be waiting for the right conditions. If the leaves look healthy, just taste one to see how it is! You haven't ruined anything yet, so don't stress too much!
Right? The OP mentioned no flowers, so it’s good advice to remind them to keep an eye on it. People just need to read posts all the way through before responding!