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What to do with a cilantro plant depends entirely on whether you want to keep harvesting fresh leaves or let it bolt and produce coriander seeds.
If you’ve been asking yourself what to do with a cilantro plant that’s growing like crazy in your garden, you’ve got more options than you might think.
That leafy green herb can be used fresh, frozen, dried, or even allowed to flower for the bees.
In this post, we’ll explore what to do with a cilantro plant so you can get the most out of every single stage of its life cycle.
Let’s dig in.
What to Do With a Cilantro Plant During Its Leafy Stage
When your cilantro plant is still in its leafy stage, the possibilities are endless.
This is when the plant is producing those bright, tender leaves you love in salsa, tacos, and curries.
Here’s what you can do with a cilantro plant while it’s still green and lush.
1. Harvest the Leaves Regularly
The best thing to do with a cilantro plant in its prime is to harvest it often.
Snip the outer stems first, leaving the inner growth to keep producing.
Regular harvesting actually encourages the plant to grow more leaves instead of bolting too quickly.
Aim to take about a third of the plant at a time so it stays productive.
2. Use Fresh Cilantro in the Kitchen
Fresh cilantro leaves are incredibly versatile.
You can toss them into salads, blend them into chutneys, or sprinkle them over soups.
They’re also the star ingredient in pesto, guacamole, and chimichurri.
If you’re wondering what to do with a cilantro plant that’s producing more than you can eat, freeze the leaves in olive oil cubes for later.
3. Share or Preserve the Bounty
Another great option for what to do with a cilantro plant is to share it with neighbors or preserve it.
Cilantro doesn’t dry well because it loses most of its flavor.
Freezing chopped leaves in ice cube trays with water or oil keeps that fresh taste for months.
You can also make a cilantro paste and store it in the fridge for quick flavor boosts.
What to Do With a Cilantro Plant When It Bolts
Eventually, your cilantro plant will bolt, meaning it sends up a tall stalk and starts flowering.
Many gardeners panic when this happens, but bolting isn’t the end of the world.
In fact, there are several smart things you can do with a cilantro plant that has bolted.
1. Let It Flower for the Pollinators
Cilantro flowers are small, white, and incredibly attractive to bees and beneficial insects.
If you’re unsure what to do with a cilantro plant that’s flowering, just leave it alone.
Those little blooms provide nectar for pollinators when other plants might be scarce.
Plus, they look delicate and pretty in the garden.
2. Harvest the Coriander Seeds
Once the flowers fade, they turn into round green seeds that eventually dry and turn brown.
These seeds are coriander, a completely different spice from the leaves.
So if you’re wondering what to do with a cilantro plant after it flowers, harvest those seeds.
Wait until they’re brown and dry, then snip the seed heads and collect them in a paper bag.
You can grind them for cooking or plant them for a whole new crop.
3. Collect Seeds for Replanting
One of the most rewarding things to do with a cilantro plant is save its seeds.
Each seed can grow into a brand new cilantro plant.
Let the seeds dry fully on the plant, then store them in a cool, dark place.
When you’re ready, just scatter them in your garden and water them in.
Cilantro grows fast from seed, so you’ll have fresh leaves again in no time.
What to Do With a Cilantro Plant in Containers
If your cilantro plant lives in a pot, you’ve got a few unique advantages.
Container cilantro is easier to control and can be moved to shadier spots to delay bolting.
Here’s what to do with a cilantro plant that’s growing in a container.
1. Move It to a Cooler Spot
Cilantro bolts faster in heat, so if your plant is on a sunny patio, move it.
A spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade keeps cilantro happy and leafy.
This simple trick is one of the best things to do with a cilantro plant in summer.
2. Sow Successive Crops
The smartest thing to do with a cilantro plant in a pot is to sow new seeds every few weeks.
That way, when one plant bolts, you’ve got another one ready to harvest.
This staggered approach means you’ll never be without fresh cilantro.
3. Refresh the Soil and Feed It
Container plants use up nutrients quickly.
If your cilantro looks pale or stops growing, refresh the soil or give it a mild liquid fertilizer.
That’s an easy answer to what to do with a cilantro plant that seems to be struggling.
So, What to Do With a Cilantro Plant?
What to do with a cilantro plant really comes down to the stage it’s in.
When it’s leafy, harvest and enjoy those fresh leaves in your favorite dishes.
When it bolts, let it flower for the bees and collect the coriander seeds for spice or replanting.
And if it’s in a container, keep it cool, fed, and sow new seeds regularly.
Hope this post has helped you figure out what to do with a cilantro plant so you can enjoy every stage of its growth.