How Often Can You Harvest Cilantro

You can harvest cilantro as often as every two to three weeks during its active growing season, provided you harvest it correctly and keep the plant healthy.
 
The key is to never take more than one-third of the plant at a time, so it has enough energy to regrow.
 
If you’ve been wondering how often you can harvest cilantro without killing the plant, the answer depends on how you cut it and how well you care for it.
 
In this post, we’ll look at how often you can harvest cilantro, the right way to do it, and what factors affect how quickly it grows back.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How Often Can You Harvest Cilantro?

You can harvest cilantro every two to three weeks if you cut it properly and the weather is cool.
 
Cilantro grows fast in mild temperatures, so you can often take a few stems at a time and come back for more in just a couple of weeks.
 
If you harvest cilantro too aggressively, though, the plant will bolt or stop producing leaves altogether.
 
The frequency of your cilantro harvest really comes down to three things: how much you cut, how healthy the plant is, and the temperature.
 
Here’s how to think about each one.
 

1. Never Cut More Than a Third

The number one rule for how often you can harvest cilantro is to never remove more than one-third of the plant at once.
 
If you cut half or more of the leaves, the plant has to work too hard to recover, and you’ll wait much longer for the next harvest.
 
Stick to one-third, and you can harvest cilantro again in about two to three weeks.
 

2. Cut From the Outside Stems

Always harvest the outer stems first, not the inner ones.
 
The inner stems are newer and will keep growing, while the outer ones are mature and ready to use.
 
Snip them close to the base of the plant, about an inch above the soil.
 
This keeps the growing center intact so you can harvest cilantro repeatedly.
 

3. Cool Weather Means Faster Regrowth

Cilantro loves cool weather, ideally between 50°F and 70°F.
 
In these conditions, you can harvest cilantro more often because the plant regrows quickly.
 
Once the temperature climbs above 75°F, cilantro bolts and stops producing tender leaves.
 
So if you’re growing in summer heat, you’ll harvest cilantro far less often, if at all.
 

How Many Times Can You Harvest Cilantro From One Plant?

You can typically harvest cilantro from one plant three to five times before it bolts or slows down.
 
Each time you harvest cilantro, the plant puts energy into new leaves.
 
Eventually, it decides to flower and set seed, which is when the leaves turn bitter and stop being useful for cooking.
 
If you want to harvest cilantro many times, succession planting is your best friend.
 
Sow new seeds every two to three weeks so you always have fresh plants ready to harvest cilantro from.
 

1. Bolting Ends the Harvest

When cilantro bolts, it sends up a tall stalk with small white flowers.
 
Once that happens, you can’t harvest cilantro leaves the same way, because they lose their flavor.
 
You can still harvest the seeds, which are coriander, but the leaf harvest is over.
 
To delay bolting, keep the soil moist and provide a little afternoon shade.
 

2. Succession Planting Keeps You in Cilantro

Rather than relying on one plant, plant a new batch every few weeks.
 
That way, when one plant stops producing, another is ready to harvest cilantro from.
 
This trick lets you harvest cilantro almost continuously through spring and fall.
 

3. Indoors You Can Harvest Cilantro Year-Round

If you grow cilantro indoors in a sunny window, you can harvest cilantro all year.
 
Just keep the temperature cool and water consistently.
 
Indoor plants usually grow slower, so you’ll harvest cilantro every three to four weeks instead of every two.
 

Tips to Harvest Cilantro the Right Way

Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to harvest cilantro.
 
Cut the stems at the base, not the middle of the leaf.
 
Harvest cilantro in the morning when the leaves are crisp and full of flavor.
 
Never pull the plant up by the roots if you want to harvest cilantro again later.
 
Water the plant after you harvest cilantro to help it recover.
 
Feed it with a light nitrogen fertilizer every few weeks to support new growth.
 

So, How Often Can You Harvest Cilantro?

You can harvest cilantro every two to three weeks if you cut no more than a third of the plant and the weather stays cool.
 
With proper care, one plant gives you three to five good harvests before it bolts.
 
And if you plant in succession, you can harvest cilantro again and again all season long.
 
So grab those scissors, make the cut, and enjoy your fresh cilantro.