How Do You Harvest Cilantro From Your Garden

You can harvest cilantro from your garden by snipping the outer stems first, starting from the base of the plant.
 
The good news is that harvesting cilantro is one of the easiest garden tasks you’ll ever do.
 
Whether you’re growing it for salsa, guacamole, or a fresh garnish, learning how to harvest cilantro properly keeps your plant producing for weeks.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to harvest cilantro from your garden, the best time to do it, and simple tips so your cilantro keeps growing back again and again.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How Do You Harvest Cilantro From Your Garden?

You harvest cilantro from your garden by cutting the outer stems, and here’s how to do it right:
 

1. Start With the Outer Stems First

When you harvest cilantro, always begin with the outermost stems.
 
These are the older, more mature leaves that are ready to be picked.
 
By taking the outer stems first, you leave the younger inner growth to keep developing.
 
This is the secret to how you harvest cilantro without killing the plant.
 

2. Snip Just Above the Soil Line

To harvest cilantro, grab a sharp pair of scissors or garden shears.
 
Cut each stem about one to two inches above the soil.
 
Don’t yank the plant out of the ground, and don’t cut it all the way down to the base.
 
Leaving a bit of stem allows your cilantro to regrow, so you can harvest cilantro from the same plant multiple times.
 

3. Never Pull the Leaves Off the Top

A common mistake when people harvest cilantro is plucking leaves from the very top of the plant.
 
That’s the newest growth, and it’s what keeps your cilantro producing new foliage.
 
If you harvest cilantro from the top every time, you’ll stunt the plant and end up with weak, spindly stems.
 
Always harvest cilantro from the outside in.
 

4. Harvest Cilantro in the Morning

The best time to harvest cilantro is in the cool morning hours.
 
That’s when the leaves are crisp, hydrated, and packed with the most flavor.
 
If you harvest cilantro during the heat of the day, the leaves wilt fast and lose some of their punch.
 
So set your alarm, grab your shears, and harvest cilantro before the sun gets too high.
 

5. Harvest Cilantro Before It Bolts

Cilantro has a reputation for bolting, which means it shoots up a tall flower stalk and stops producing leaves.
 
Once that happens, the leaves turn bitter and your harvest window closes.
 
So harvest cilantro regularly, and harvest cilantro early, while the plant is still lush and leafy.
 
If you see a flower stalk forming, pinch it off immediately to buy yourself more time.
 

How Often Can You Harvest Cilantro From Your Garden?

You can harvest cilantro from your garden every one to two weeks during the growing season.
 

1. Regular Harvesting Encourages New Growth

Every time you harvest cilantro, you send a signal to the plant to produce more stems.
 
That’s why gardeners who harvest cilantro often end up with bushier, healthier plants.
 

2. Take Only About a Third at a Time

When you harvest cilantro, never take more than a third of the plant at once.
 
This keeps enough foliage for photosynthesis and gives your cilantro room to bounce back.
 

3. Stop Harvesting Cilantro Once It Flowers

If your cilantro bolts, you can still harvest cilantro leaves for a short while, but they’ll taste bitter.
 
At that point, it’s better to let the flowers go to seed and collect coriander instead.
 

Tips to Keep Harvesting Cilantro All Season

If you want to keep harvesting cilantro from your garden for months, these tips will help:
 

1. Sow Seeds Every Few Weeks

Cilantro has a short life cycle, so succession planting is key.
 
Plant a new batch every two to three weeks, and you’ll always have fresh cilantro ready to harvest.
 

2. Keep the Soil Moist

Cilantro likes consistent moisture, especially in warm weather.
 
Dry soil stresses the plant and speeds up bolting, which cuts your harvest short.
 

3. Give It Some Afternoon Shade

Cilantro thrives in cool conditions, so a little shade during the hottest part of the day helps.
 
This simple step slows bolting and lets you harvest cilantro for much longer.
 

4. Use Sharp, Clean Tools

Dull scissors crush the stems and invite disease.
 
Clean, sharp tools give you a clean cut every time you harvest cilantro.
 

5. Wash and Store Your Harvest Right Away

Once you harvest cilantro, rinse it gently and pat it dry.
 
Store it in a jar of water or a damp paper towel in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for over a week.
 

So, How Do You Harvest Cilantro From Your Garden?

You harvest cilantro from your garden by snipping the outer stems about an inch above the soil, working from the outside in.
 
Harvest cilantro in the morning, take only a third at a time, and keep harvesting cilantro before the plant bolts.
 
With a little care, you can harvest cilantro from your garden again and again all season long.
 
Now grab those shears and harvest cilantro with confidence.