How Long Does It Take To Grow Cilantro From Cuttings

Growing cilantro from cuttings takes about 7 to 14 days to develop roots, after which you can plant it and harvest fresh leaves in roughly 3 to 4 weeks.
 
That’s the short answer if you’re in a hurry.
 
If you’ve been asking how long it takes to grow cilantro from cuttings, the timeline depends on a few key things like water, light, and temperature.
 
Cilantro cuttings root fairly quickly compared to many other herbs, which makes them a fun and rewarding project for beginner gardeners.
 
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how long it takes to grow cilantro from cuttings, what affects that timeline, and how to speed things up so you can enjoy fresh cilantro sooner.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How Long Does It Take to Grow Cilantro From Cuttings?

Growing cilantro from cuttings usually takes around 7 to 14 days for roots to appear when you place them in water.
 
Once roots form, you can transfer the cuttings to soil, and they’ll establish themselves within another 1 to 2 weeks.
 
From there, you can typically start harvesting leaves about 3 to 4 weeks after you first took the cutting.
 
So if you’re wondering how long it takes to grow cilantro from cuttings, the full journey from snipping to harvest is roughly one month.
 
That said, this timeline isn’t set in stone because a few factors can speed it up or slow it down.
 

1. Rooting in Water vs. Soil

When you grow cilantro from cuttings in water, you’ll usually see roots start to form in about 7 to 10 days.
 
If you skip the water step and root your cilantro cuttings directly in soil, it can take a bit longer, often 10 to 14 days.
 
Water rooting is faster because the cutting has constant moisture and you can actually watch the roots develop.
 
Soil rooting takes longer but tends to produce stronger roots that adapt better once planted.
 

2. Temperature and Light

Cilantro grows best in cooler temperatures between 60°F and 70°F.
 
When it’s too hot, cilantro cuttings stress out and root more slowly, and the plant may even bolt prematurely.
 
Bright, indirect light is ideal for cilantro cuttings while they’re rooting.
 
Too much direct sun can dry out the cutting, while too little light slows down the rooting process.
 

3. The Health of Your Cutting

A healthy, vibrant cilantro cutting will root faster than a weak or wilted one.
 
Always snip your cutting just below a leaf node, since that’s where roots naturally want to form.
 
Remove the lower leaves so they don’t sit in water and rot, which can ruin your chances of growing cilantro from cuttings successfully.
 

How to Grow Cilantro From Cuttings Step by Step

Now that you know how long it takes to grow cilantro from cuttings, let’s walk through the process so you get it right the first time.
 
Follow these simple steps and you’ll have fresh cilantro growing in no time.
 

1. Take the Right Cutting

Use clean scissors to cut a 4 to 6 inch stem from a healthy cilantro plant.
 
Make your cut just below a node, which is the bumpy spot on the stem where leaves grow.
 
Strip off the bottom leaves, leaving just a few at the top.
 

2. Root It in Water

Place your cilantro cutting in a glass or jar filled with room temperature water.
 
Make sure the node is submerged but the leaves stay above the waterline.
 
Change the water every couple of days to keep it fresh and prevent bacteria from building up.
 

3. Wait for Roots to Appear

Within 7 to 14 days, you’ll see thin white roots emerging from the node.
 
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for when growing cilantro from cuttings.
 
Once the roots are about 1 to 2 inches long, your cutting is ready for soil.
 

4. Transfer to Soil

Plant your rooted cilantro cutting in a pot with well-draining soil.
 
Water it gently and keep the soil consistently moist for the first week or two.
 
Place the pot in a spot with bright, indirect light and watch your cilantro take off.
 

Tips to Speed Up Growing Cilantro From Cuttings

If you want to grow cilantro from cuttings faster, there are a few tricks that really help.
 
These small adjustments can shave days off your timeline.
 

1. Use a Rooting Hormone

Dipping the cut end of your cilantro cutting in rooting hormone can encourage faster root development.
 
You can find rooting powder or gel at most garden centers.
 

2. Keep the Humidity High

Covering your cilantro cutting with a clear plastic bag or dome can trap moisture and speed up rooting.
 
Just make sure to open it now and then so mold doesn’t grow.
 

3. Avoid Direct Sunlight

While cilantro loves light, direct sun on a fresh cutting can be too intense.
 
Bright, indirect light keeps your cutting happy while it focuses energy on growing roots.
 

So, How Long Does It Take to Grow Cilantro From Cuttings?

Growing cilantro from cuttings takes about 7 to 14 days to root and roughly 3 to 4 weeks total before you can harvest leaves.
 
The exact time depends on how you root your cuttings, the temperature, the light, and the health of the cutting itself.
 
With the right conditions and a little patience, growing cilantro from cuttings is one of the easiest and most rewarding herb projects you can try.
 
So grab a snip from your cilantro plant and get started today.