The natural growth of basil is tall and if not pruned, the plant will grow tall and leggy. Pruning causes the side shoots to grow and you end up with a fuller, bushier plant. In a LGT indoor garden this is important because a pruned basil plant fits better under the lighting, giving it more light for photosynthesis. Besides, a bushy plant looks good and produces more basil for your students to taste and sample! Students will learn about this phenomenon by comparing two basil plants, one that is pruned and one that is left to grow naturally 

This is a publicly available resource developed by the Little Green Thumbs program, a classroom gardening program. Learn more about the Little Green Thumbs program in your region.