How To Grow Cilantro From Cuttings In Water

You can grow cilantro from cuttings in water, and it’s one of the easiest kitchen herbs to propagate this way.
 
While cilantro is typically grown from seed, rooting cilantro cuttings in water is a fast and frugal way to get a fresh supply going without buying new plants.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to grow cilantro from cuttings in water, the good news is that this herb roots quickly when you give it the right conditions.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to grow cilantro from cuttings in water, plus the tips that make the difference between a thriving plant and a soggy stem.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Why You Can Grow Cilantro From Cuttings in Water

Growing cilantro from cuttings in water works because cilantro stems contain nodes, and those nodes are where new roots form.
 
Here’s why this method is so reliable:
 

1. Cilantro Roots Easily From Stem Nodes

Every cilantro stem has small bumps along its length called nodes.
 
Each node holds the potential to sprout roots when it’s submerged in water.
 
That’s the whole reason you can grow cilantro from cuttings in water with nothing more than a glass and a windowsill.
 

2. Water Triggers Root Hormone Production

When a cilantro cutting sits in water, the plant responds by producing auxins, which are natural rooting hormones.
 
These hormones travel to the submerged node and signal it to push out new roots.
 
So the water itself is what kicks off the rooting process in your cilantro cuttings.
 

3. Cilantro Grows Fast From Cuttings

Cilantro is a quick-rooting herb, so you won’t be waiting around for weeks.
 
Most cilantro cuttings in water start showing roots within 7 to 14 days.
 
That speed is why growing cilantro from cuttings in water beats waiting on seeds for many gardeners.
 

How to Grow Cilantro From Cuttings in Water Step by Step

Now for the fun part, actually rooting your cilantro cuttings in water.
 
Follow these steps and you’ll have rooted cilantro before you know it:
 

1. Take Healthy Cuttings From a Mature Cilantro Plant

Start by snipping 4 to 6 inch stems from a healthy cilantro plant.
 
Use clean, sharp scissors and cut just below a node.
 
Avoid stems that are flowering or yellowing, since those won’t root as well.
 

2. Strip the Lower Leaves

Remove the leaves from the bottom 2 to 3 inches of each cilantro cutting.
 
Any leaves left underwater will rot and turn your water cloudy.
 
This step is key when you grow cilantro from cuttings in water because clean stems root faster.
 

3. Place Cuttings in a Glass of Fresh Water

Put your cilantro cuttings in a clean glass or jar filled with room temperature water.
 
Make sure at least one node on each stem is fully submerged.
 

4. Set Them in Bright, Indirect Light

Place the glass on a bright windowsill but out of harsh, direct sun.
 
Too much direct sun can cook the cuttings before they root.
 

5. Change the Water Every Few Days

Swap out the water every 2 to 3 days to keep it oxygenated and clean.
 
This simple habit is the number one thing that keeps cilantro cuttings in water from rotting.
 

6. Wait for Roots to Develop

Within one to two weeks, you’ll see white roots sprouting from the nodes.
 
Once roots reach about 1 to 2 inches long, your cilantro cuttings are ready for the next stage.
 

How to Grow Cilantro From Cuttings in Water After Roots Form

Once your cilantro cuttings have rooted, you have two options.
 
You can grow cilantro from cuttings in water permanently, or you can move them to soil. Here’s how each works.
 

1. Keep Growing Cilantro in Water Indefinitely

Cilantro can keep growing in water as long as you feed it.
 
Add a few drops of liquid fertilizer to the water every couple of weeks.
 
Change the water regularly, and your cilantro will keep producing fresh leaves on your counter.
 

2. Transplant Cuttings Into Soil

If you’d rather plant them, move rooted cuttings into potting mix once roots hit 2 inches.
 
Keep the soil moist for the first week to help them adjust.
 
This gives you a sturdier cilantro plant that will produce for longer.
 

3. Harvest Leaves as They Grow

Snip outer leaves once your cilantro plant has established itself.
 
Never take more than a third of the plant at once.
 
Regular harvesting actually encourages bushier growth in cilantro grown from cuttings.
 

4. Watch for Bolting

Cilantro is a cool-season herb, so hot weather makes it bolt and flower.
 
Once it bolts, the leaves turn bitter and the plant stops producing.
 
Keep your cilantro in a cooler spot and replant cuttings often to stay ahead of bolting.
 

So, Can You Grow Cilantro From Cuttings in Water?

You can absolutely grow cilantro from cuttings in water, and it’s one of the simplest propagation projects you can try.
 
Cilantro roots quickly from stem nodes, responds to water by producing natural rooting hormones, and often shows roots within two weeks.
 
Just take healthy cuttings, strip the lower leaves, change the water often, and give them bright indirect light.
 
Whether you keep growing cilantro in water on your windowsill or transplant the rooted cuttings into soil, you’ll have fresh cilantro on hand without spending a dime on new plants.
 
So grab those scissors and that glass, because now you know how to grow cilantro from cuttings in water.