I just bought a basil potted plant. Any advice on how to cut, and use?

Laura Wright
by Laura Wright
Any advice on how to cut, and use? Thank you!

  7 answers
  • Marlene June Haas Marlene June Haas on Jun 25, 2017

    just pick off the individual leaves and use them. Take a few off each plant.

  • Sunny C Sunny C on Jun 25, 2017

    Hello Laura; You will Love having fresh Herbs!! Is the Basil in a large pot, with sufficient drainage? If it is not, you will need to repot the plant first.

    All I do for my Herbs is I trim them, and I keep my herbs in a damp paper towel in a baggie. I use them daily.

    For a simple Pesto Recipe:

    2 cups packed fresh basil leaves.

    6 garlic cloves.

    1/4 cup pine nuts.

    1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil.

    Salt and pepper, to taste.

    1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

    Use a food processor, and what I then do is freeze in ice cube trays until frozen.

    You can use in soups, stews, or else with a pound of cooked Pasta.

    I hope that this will help you!!!! Have fun using your Basil!!!

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jun 25, 2017

    If it isn't already in a large pot, put it in one now so that it can grow big and luscious like they do. You can use the basil in many recipes, especially Italian dishes. Go to any of the big sites like Better Homes and Gardens, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, etc. and they have all the recipes you will need. Take good care of your plant and you will be able to harvest off of it for a long time. If you have cold winters and have a sunny south window it should survive if you bring it indoors for the winter.

  • Virginia Virginia on Jun 25, 2017

    Excellent recipe! I have substituted pecans for pine nuts, as well.


    When I have pasta sauce and heat it up, I just mix in whole basil leaves for a fresh taste, too!


    Basil takes water every other day from my experience. If you start getting buds, pinch them off early, and the side branches will grow more leaves.


    Still, I've collected the dried - up pods (they kind of look like little umbrellas) and potted these for a next generation of basil.

  • Liz Toone Liz Toone on Jun 25, 2017

    I get out a cookie sheet, cover it with a paper towel, snip off some basil leaves, and set them aside to dry. I harvest my leaves each year and store them in a jar which lasts me until next year. Then I start the process all over again. Here is a photo of my jar. The word is in Italian 😊

  • Mary ann Mary ann on Jun 25, 2017

    you dont'need to cut the plant. just pick off leaves as you need to cook with , keep it watered in a sunny window or if your weather is good, you can transplant outdoors. When white flowers appear on top, snip them off and it will keep growing nicely for you. basil can be used in many dishes .Italians add it to their homemade tomato sauce delicious!!

  • You do not cut, you pinch off the leaves and use either raw or add to your dishes while cooking. I would repot as they are typically rootbound. Try basil lemonade on a hot day! So refreshing. Google "basil recipes" if you want to try new things. Enjoy your new plant!