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You can regrow cilantro from cuttings or from the stems you buy at the grocery store.
Yes, you can regrow cilantro right in your kitchen with just a glass of water and a little patience.
Whether you want to regrow cilantro from store-bought bunches or from seeds you already have, the process is surprisingly simple and rewarding.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to regrow cilantro step by step, share the best methods to regrow cilantro fast, and cover the common mistakes that keep people from successfully regrowing cilantro at home.
Let’s dig in.
How Do You Regrow Cilantro?
You regrow cilantro by rooting healthy stems in water or by planting cilantro seeds in fresh soil.
Cilantro, also known as coriander, is one of the easiest herbs to regrow because it grows quickly and doesn’t need much space.
Here’s how each method works.
1. Regrow Cilantro From Cuttings in Water
This is the fastest way to regrow cilantro if you have a fresh bunch sitting in your fridge.
Pick stems that are about 4 to 6 inches long with healthy green leaves attached.
Trim the bottom of each stem at an angle with clean scissors so it can absorb water more easily.
Place the stems in a glass or jar filled with about an inch or two of water.
Set the glass on a sunny windowsill and change the water every couple of days.
Within a week or so, you’ll see new roots forming at the base of the stems.
Once the roots are about an inch long, you can either keep growing cilantro in water or transfer the stems into a pot of soil.
2. Regrow Cilantro From Seeds
If you want a steady supply, regrowing cilantro from seeds is the better long-term option.
Fill a pot with well-draining potting mix and scatter the seeds lightly on top.
Cover them with a thin layer of soil, about a quarter inch deep.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and place the pot somewhere that gets at least four to six hours of sunlight a day.
Cilantro seeds germinate in about 7 to 10 days when the temperature stays between 55°F and 70°F.
3. Regrow Cilantro From the Grocery Store Bunch
This is basically the cutting method, but it’s worth calling out because so many people toss out cilantro stems without realizing they can regrow cilantro from them.
Next time you buy a bunch of cilantro, save the lower stems instead of throwing them away.
Strip the lower leaves, then follow the same water-rooting steps above.
It’s a free way to regrow cilantro again and again from a single bunch.
Best Conditions to Regrow Cilantro Successfully
Cilantro is a cool-season herb, so getting the conditions right makes a huge difference when you regrow cilantro indoors or outside.
1. Light
Cilantro loves bright, indirect light for most of the day.
A south or west-facing windowsill works great when you regrow cilantro indoors.
If your space is dim, a small grow light for a few hours a day will keep your cilantro growing strong.
2. Water
Keep the soil evenly moist, but never let it turn into a swamp.
For water-grown cuttings, swap the water every two to three days so it stays fresh and oxygenated.
3. Temperature
Cilantro grows best between 50°F and 70°F.
Hot weather makes cilantro bolt, which means it shoots up flowers and stops producing tasty leaves.
If you’re regrowing cilantro in summer, keep it in a shaded spot or bring it indoors.
4. Soil
Use a light, well-draining potting mix when you regrow cilantro in containers.
Add a little compost for nutrients, and make sure your pot has drainage holes.
Common Mistakes When You Regrow Cilantro
Even though it’s easy, a few missteps can stop your cilantro from thriving.
1. Using Soft or Wilted Stems
Only healthy, firm stems will root well when you regrow cilantro.
If the stems are mushy or yellow, they won’t produce new growth.
2. Forgetting to Change the Water
Stale water invites bacteria, which causes stems to rot before roots form.
Change the water regularly when you regrow cilantro in a glass.
3. Overwatering the Soil
Soggy soil suffocates roots and leads to fungal issues.
Let the top inch of soil dry slightly between waterings when you regrow cilantro in pots.
4. Letting It Bolt Too Soon
Heat stress makes cilantro flower early.
Harvest leaves often and keep plants cool to delay bolting.
How to Harvest Cilantro So It Keeps Growing
Snip outer leaves first and leave the center of the plant intact.
This keeps your cilantro producing new growth for weeks.
Never cut more than a third of the plant at once.
And if you regrow cilantro from cuttings, start harvesting once the plant has established strong roots.
Regular harvesting actually encourages bushier growth, so don’t be shy.
So, How Do You Regrow Cilantro?
You regrow cilantro by rooting healthy stems in water or planting seeds in fresh soil.
With the right light, water, and temperature, you can regrow cilantro again and again from a single bunch or a handful of seeds.
Just remember to use fresh stems, change the water often, and harvest regularly.
Hope this post has helped you learn how to regrow cilantro so you always have fresh herbs on hand.