How To Plant And Harvest Cilantro

You can plant and harvest cilantro easily in your garden or in containers as long as you know a few key tips.
 
Cilantro is a fast-growing herb that gives you two harvests in one plant, since the leaves are cilantro and the seeds are coriander.
 
It thrives in cool weather, so timing your planting right is important because cilantro bolts quickly in heat.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to plant cilantro, how to care for it, and exactly how and when to harvest cilantro so you get the most from your plants.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Plant Cilantro

Planting cilantro is simple, and you can grow it from seeds or from transplants.
 
The best way to plant cilantro is to start it from seed directly in the ground or in a pot, because cilantro doesn’t like being moved once it starts growing.
 
If you want to plant cilantro, you should aim for early spring or late summer when the weather is cool.
 
Here’s how to plant cilantro step by step.
 

1. Pick the Right Spot and Soil

Cilantro grows best in full sun to partial shade, and in cool weather it can handle full sun without a problem.
 
You should plant cilantro in loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8.
 
If your soil is heavy clay, mix in compost so the roots can spread easily.
 
If you’re growing cilantro in containers, pick a pot at least 12 inches deep so the taproot has room.
 

2. Sow the Seeds

To plant cilantro from seed, scatter the seeds about a quarter inch deep and one to two inches apart.
 
You can sow cilantro seeds every two to three weeks for a steady supply all season.
 
Before you plant cilantro, gently crush the round seeds to split them, since each seed actually holds two seeds inside.
 
This helps them germinate faster, and you’ll usually see sprouts in 7 to 10 days.
 

3. Water and Care

After you plant cilantro, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
 
Cilantro needs about an inch of water per week, and a little more in hot, dry weather.
 
Mulch around your plants to keep the soil cool, because cool soil slows bolting.
 
Feed cilantro lightly with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks, but don’t overdo it since too much nitrogen makes the leaves grow weak.
 

When and How to Harvest Cilantro

You can harvest cilantro leaves about three to four weeks after planting, once the plant is six to eight inches tall.
 
The key to a good harvest is to pick the outer stems first and leave the inner leaves to keep growing.
 
Snip the stems near the base of the plant with clean scissors, and never take more than a third of the plant at once.
 
If you want to harvest cilantro leaves over a longer period, keep watering and keep the plant cool so it doesn’t bolt.
 
Once you see tall stems with lacy white flowers appear, your cilantro is bolting, and the leaves will start to turn bitter.
 
At that point, you can let it flower and harvest the seeds as coriander, or pull the plant and start a new batch.
 

1. How to Harvest Cilantro Leaves

To harvest cilantro leaves, cut the outer stalks close to the ground and use them fresh.
 
Never wash cilantro until you’re ready to use it, since wet leaves spoil fast.
 
If you have more leaves than you can eat, you can dry them, but fresh cilantro freezes better, so chop and freeze it in ice cube trays with a little water.
 

2. How to Harvest Cilantro Seeds (Coriander)

If you let your cilantro flower, the seeds will form in small round pods.
 
Wait until the pods turn brown, then cut the whole stem and hang it upside down in a paper bag.
 
Once the seeds dry, shake them loose and store them in an airtight jar.
 
These seeds are coriander, and they’re great in soups, curries, and spice blends.
 

3. Keep the Harvest Going

To keep harvesting cilantro for weeks, plant a new batch every few weeks.
 
You can also grow cilantro in partial shade during warmer months to slow bolting.
 
Choose slow-bolt varieties like ‘Santo’ or ‘Calypso’ if you live in a hot climate.
 
With a little planning, you can plant cilantro and harvest cilantro almost year-round in mild climates.
 

So, How Do You Plant and Harvest Cilantro?

To plant and harvest cilantro, start with cool weather, loose soil, and regular watering.
 
Plant cilantro from seed, keep it cool, and snip the outer stems so the plant keeps producing.
 
Once it bolts, harvest the seeds as coriander and start a fresh round.
 
Follow these steps, and you’ll always have fresh cilantro on hand.