Editing Basil (section)

=== Pruning, flowering, and seeding ===
[[File:Xylocopa pubescens female with mite 1.JPG|thumb|upright=0.9|Female [[carpenter bee]] foraging]]
[[File:The Flowers of Italian Basil.jpg|thumb|Flowers of Italian Basil]]
Once a stem produces flowers, foliage production stops on that stem, the stem becomes woody, and essential oil production declines. To prevent this, a basil-grower may pinch off any flower stems before they are fully mature. Because only the blooming stem is so affected, some stems can be pinched for leaf production, while others are left to bloom for decoration or seeds. Picking the leaves off the plant helps promote growth, largely because the plant responds by converting pairs of leaflets next to the topmost leaves into new stems.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Once the plant is allowed to flower, it may produce seed pods containing small black seeds, which can be saved and planted the following year. If allowed to go to seed, a basil plant will grow back the next year.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}