Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
Growing and trimming cilantro is easier than you might think, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll have a steady supply of fresh leaves for all your favorite dishes.
Cilantro grows quickly from seed and thrives in cool weather, so it’s perfect for spring and fall gardening.
And trimming cilantro regularly actually keeps the plant productive instead of killing it, which surprises a lot of new gardeners.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to grow cilantro from seed, how to trim cilantro the right way, and how to keep it from bolting too soon.
Let’s dig in.
How to Grow Cilantro From Seed
Growing cilantro starts with understanding what this herb actually wants.
Cilantro is a cool-season herb, which means it grows best when temperatures stay between 50°F and 85°F.
Once the weather heats up, cilantro tends to bolt, meaning it shoots up a flower stalk and the leaves turn bitter.
So if you want to grow cilantro successfully, timing matters just as much as technique.
1. Pick the Right Season
The best time to grow cilantro is early spring or early fall.
If you live in a hot climate, plant cilantro in partial shade or grow it in containers you can move out of the afternoon sun.
Many gardeners in warm regions have better luck growing cilantro in fall and winter than in summer.
2. Sow Seeds Directly
Cilantro doesn’t transplant well because of its taproot, so sowing seeds directly into the ground or a pot is the way to go.
Scatter seeds about a quarter inch deep and an inch apart, then cover lightly with soil.
You can also crush the seeds slightly before planting to speed up germination, since cilantro seeds are actually two seeds inside one hull.
3. Water and Feed Lightly
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy while cilantro germinates, which usually takes seven to ten days.
Once the plants are a few inches tall, water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Cilantro doesn’t need heavy feeding, so a light dose of balanced fertilizer every few weeks is plenty.
How to Trim Cilantro the Right Way
Trimming cilantro is the part most people get wrong, and it’s also the part that keeps your plant alive the longest.
The key is to trim cilantro stems rather than just plucking leaves, because new growth comes from the base of the plant.
1. Start Harvesting Early
You can start trimming cilantro once the plant is about six inches tall.
Snip the outer stems first, since those are the oldest and most mature leaves.
Leave the inner stems alone so the plant keeps producing new growth.
2. Cut Above the Growing Point
When you trim cilantro, cut the stem about an inch above the soil line, right above where a new leaf cluster is forming.
This encourages the plant to branch out instead of stretching upward toward bolting.
Never cut more than a third of the plant at one time, or you’ll stress it and slow future growth.
3. Trim Flowers to Delay Bolting
If you see a flower stalk starting to form, snip it off immediately.
Trimming cilantro flowers buys you a few extra weeks of leaf production before the plant gives up and goes to seed.
Once cilantro bolts fully, the leaves turn lacy and bitter, though the seeds (coriander) are still usable in cooking.
4. Harvest in the Morning
For the best flavor, trim cilantro in the early morning before the heat of the day sets in.
The leaves hold the most oils and aroma at that time, which means tastier garnish for your tacos, salsa, and curries.
Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to trim cilantro cleanly, since tearing the stems can damage the plant.
Tips for Keeping Cilantro Productive Longer
Even with good trimming habits, cilantro has a short lifespan, so succession planting is your best friend.
Sow a new batch of cilantro seeds every two to three weeks for a continuous harvest through the season.
If you’re growing cilantro in containers, move them to a shaded spot during hot afternoons to slow bolting.
You can also choose slow-bolt varieties like ‘Slow Bolt’ or ‘Calypso’ if your climate runs warm.
And don’t forget that trimming cilantro regularly isn’t just about harvest, it’s also about plant health.
The more often you trim cilantro, the bushier and more productive it becomes, which is exactly what you want.
So, How Do You Grow and Trim Cilantro?
Growing and trimming cilantro comes down to cool weather, consistent moisture, and regular harvesting.
Plant cilantro in spring or fall, sow seeds directly, and start trimming cilantro once it reaches six inches tall.
Cut above the growing point, snip off flowers to delay bolting, and replant every few weeks for a steady supply.
Do that, and you’ll grow and trim cilantro like a pro all season long.