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Cilantro can be grown from cuttings, and it’s actually a pretty neat trick to know if you love fresh herbs but hate waiting for seeds to sprout.
Yes, you can grow cilantro from cuttings, though it comes with a few quirks you’ll want to understand before you grab your scissors.
The stems need to come from a healthy plant, and the rooting process works best when you take cuttings at the right time and give them the right conditions.
In this post, we’ll walk through whether cilantro can truly be grown from cuttings, how to do it step by step, and what to expect along the way.
Let’s dig in.
Can Cilantro Be Grown From Cuttings Successfully?
Cilantro can be grown from cuttings, but it’s a bit different from propagating other herbs like basil or mint.
The key is understanding how cilantro grows and why cuttings behave the way they do.
1. Cilantro Roots Readily in Water
One of the reasons cilantro can be grown from cuttings is that the stems root fairly easily in water.
You just snip a healthy stem below a leaf node, place it in a glass of water, and wait.
Within a week or two, you’ll usually see tiny white roots starting to form.
2. Soft Stems Root Faster Than Woody Ones
When growing cilantro from cuttings, always choose soft, green stems rather than older, woody ones.
Soft stems have more active growth tissue, which means they root faster and more reliably.
If you grab a thick, tough stem from the base of the plant, it may just sit there and rot instead.
3. Cuttings Skip the Slow Seed Stage
The biggest advantage of growing cilantro from cuttings is speed.
Seeds take a while to germinate, and cilantro is notorious for bolting quickly once it’s stressed.
Cuttings let you skip that whole waiting game and get straight to new growth.
How to Grow Cilantro From Cuttings Step by Step
If you want to grow cilantro from cuttings, here’s the process that works best.
1. Pick a Healthy Stem
Choose a stem that’s about four to six inches long with a few leaves at the top.
Make sure the plant you’re cutting from is healthy and free of pests or disease.
2. Cut Just Below a Leaf Node
Using clean scissors or pruning shears, cut just below a leaf node.
That node is where new roots will emerge, so it’s the most important part of the cutting.
3. Strip the Lower Leaves
Remove the leaves from the bottom inch or two of the stem.
This keeps the leaves from sitting in water and rotting, which can ruin your chances of growing cilantro from cuttings.
4. Place the Cutting in Water
Put the stem in a clean glass or jar filled with room-temperature water.
Make sure the node is fully submerged but the remaining leaves stay above the waterline.
5. Change the Water Every Few Days
Fresh water keeps bacteria from building up, which is one of the main reasons cilantro cuttings fail.
Swap it out every two to three days for the best results.
6. Wait for Roots to Form
Within one to two weeks, you should see roots developing.
Once they’re an inch or two long, your cilantro cutting is ready to be planted in soil or kept in water.
Tips for Growing Cilantro From Cuttings
Getting cilantro to grow from cuttings is one thing, but keeping it thriving is another.
Here are a few tips to boost your success.
1. Use Filtered or Distilled Water
Tap water often contains chlorine, which can slow down root development.
Filtered or distilled water gives your cilantro cuttings a cleaner start.
2. Keep Them in Bright, Indirect Light
Cilantro loves light, but direct afternoon sun can fry a delicate cutting.
A sunny windowsill with indirect light is usually perfect.
3. Plant in Well-Draining Soil
Once roots form, transfer your cutting to a pot with well-draining soil.
Cilantro hates soggy roots, so drainage is key.
4. Don’t Expect a Long Lifespan
Here’s the honest truth: cilantro grown from cuttings won’t live forever.
Cilantro is a short-lived plant that naturally bolts, and cuttings inherit that same clock.
You’ll get a few weeks to a couple of months of harvest, so enjoy it while it lasts.
5. Take Cuttings Before the Plant Bolts
If your cilantro plant is starting to bolt, take your cuttings right away.
Once it goes to seed, the flavor turns bitter and the plant stops producing usable leaves.
So, Can Cilantro Be Grown From Cuttings?
Cilantro can be grown from cuttings, and it’s a fun, fast way to get fresh herbs without starting from seed.
Just remember that soft stems root best, water needs to stay fresh, and the plant won’t last forever.
If you take cuttings before your cilantro bolts, you’ll be rewarded with fresh, flavorful leaves in no time.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just experimenting, growing cilantro from cuttings is absolutely worth a try.