Wait until the basil plant has at least 6 to 8 leaves and is about 6 inches tall
Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears
Find a stem with a pair of leaves near the top
Cut the stem just above a leaf node where two leaves grow from the stem
Remove no more than one-third of the plant at a time
Prune regularly to encourage bushier growth
Pinch off flower buds as soon as they appear
Harvest from the top first, not the bottom
Avoid cutting below the lowest set of leaves on a stem
Prune in the morning for best flavor and freshness