How Do You Harvest Cilantro Seeds

You can harvest cilantro seeds once the plant’s flowers fade and the seed heads turn brown.
 
These seeds are what we commonly call coriander, and they’re absolutely usable in your kitchen.
 
If you’ve been growing cilantro and wondering how do you harvest cilantro seeds, the good news is that the process is simple.
 
You just need to time it right before the seeds scatter everywhere.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how do you harvest cilantro seeds, when to pick them, and how to store them properly.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How Do You Harvest Cilantro Seeds: Step by Step

Knowing how do you harvest cilantro seeds starts with understanding when the plant is ready.
 
Cilantro bolts quickly in warm weather, sending up tall flower stalks.
 
Those little white flowers eventually turn into green seeds, and then brown ones.
 
Here’s how do you harvest cilantro seeds at each stage.
 

1. Let the Plant Bolt Naturally

When you want to harvest cilantro seeds, the first step is simply letting your cilantro flower.
 
Many gardeners panic when their cilantro bolts, but for seed harvesting, this is exactly what you want.
 
The plant will produce umbels of tiny white or pink flowers.
 
These flowers turn into clusters of small round seeds.
 
At first, the seeds are green and won’t germinate well, so patience is key when you harvest cilantro seeds.
 

2. Wait for the Seeds to Turn Brown

The best time to harvest cilantro seeds is when most of the seeds on the plant have turned light brown.
 
This usually happens about two to three weeks after flowering.
 
If you harvest cilantro seeds too early, they won’t be viable or flavorful.
 
If you wait too long, they’ll drop to the ground and you’ll lose them.
 
So check your plants daily once you see the color changing when you plan to harvest cilantro seeds.
 

3. Cut the Stalks or Pull the Whole Plant

Once the seeds are brown, you can cut the seed heads off with scissors or pruning shears.
 
Another option when you harvest cilantro seeds is to pull the entire plant up by the roots.
 
Either way works fine.
 
Just be gentle so the seeds don’t scatter prematurely.
 
Hold a paper bag or bowl under the seed heads as you cut them to catch any seeds that fall.
 

4. Dry the Seed Heads Further

After cutting, tie the stems together and hang them upside down in a paper bag.
 
This is a classic trick for how do you harvest cilantro seeds without losing any.
 
Poke a few holes in the bag for airflow.
 
As the stems dry, the seeds will drop right into the bottom of the bag.
 
Leave them for about one to two weeks in a cool, dry place.
 

5. Separate the Seeds from the Chaff

Once fully dry, shake the bag vigorously to release any remaining seeds.
 
Then pour the contents onto a plate or tray.
 
You’ll see seeds mixed with dried stems and flower bits.
 
Pick out the larger debris by hand, then gently blow on the seeds to remove lighter chaff.
 
This step is important because clean seeds store better when you harvest cilantro seeds.
 

Storing Your Cilantro Seeds After You Harvest Them

After you harvest cilantro seeds, proper storage keeps them fresh for up to a year or more.
 
Place the dried seeds in an airtight container like a small glass jar.
 
Store it in a cool, dark, and dry place.
 
Avoid storing them near the stove or in direct sunlight.
 
Label the jar with the date so you know how old your cilantro seeds are.
 
You can use these seeds whole or grind them into coriander powder when cooking.
 
You can also save some to plant next season.
 
Just remember that seeds saved for planting should be kept in a cool, dry spot too.
 

Common Mistakes When You Harvest Cilantro Seeds

Even though the process is straightforward, a few mistakes can ruin your harvest.
 
Here are the most common ones to avoid when you harvest cilantro seeds.
 

1. Harvesting Too Early

Green seeds won’t mature properly after picking.
 
Always wait for that brown color to develop before you harvest cilantro seeds.
 

2. Not Using a Bag

Cilantro seeds scatter easily.
 
If you don’t use a bag or bowl, you’ll lose half your harvest when you harvest cilantro seeds.
 

3. Storing Before Fully Dry

Any moisture left in the seeds can cause mold.
 
Make sure they’re bone dry before sealing them in a container after you harvest cilantro seeds.
 

So, How Do You Harvest Cilantro Seeds?

You harvest cilantro seeds by letting the plant bolt, waiting for the seeds to turn brown, cutting the seed heads, and drying them completely.
 
Once dry, you separate the seeds from the chaff and store them in an airtight container.
 
The whole process takes a few weeks but requires very little effort.
 
Now that you know how do you harvest cilantro seeds, you can enjoy free coriander for cooking and replanting.
 
Happy harvesting.