How and when do I properly pinch basil leaves to stimulate growth?

Answer 1

HOW: At the growth end of the stem-- if you take off the last two or three leaves, the plant will put out more leaves-- and makes the plant wider and bushier-- the technical term is "terminal budding"-- meaning pinch out that tip top piece-- mine was licorice flavored-- I'd popped the piece in my mouth-- very tasty!
WHEN: When you can identify that tip top. I pinched out mine when the plant was 6 inches high. Doing very well after it's "operation".
good luck

Answer 2

The only pruning I do is why I pinch off lots of leaves to cook with. Last year my African basil was five feet! People kept asking me what kind of tree had such pretty flowers!

Answer 3

were it branches off prune it just like a tiny rose bush.
Its gonna be a pretty big basil plant before real pruning becomes beneficial.