How Do You Cut Back Cilantro

You cut back cilantro by snipping or pinching off the leaves and stems you need, starting from the outer edges of the plant and working your way inward.
 
When you cut back cilantro the right way, you encourage fresh growth instead of stressing the plant out.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to cut back cilantro without killing it, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to cut back cilantro properly, when to do it, and the mistakes that can turn a healthy plant into a sad, bolting mess.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

How Do You Cut Back Cilantro?

You cut back cilantro by harvesting the outer stems first, since those are the oldest and most mature.
 
Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to snip the stems about one to two inches above the soil line.
 
The goal when you cut back cilantro is to leave the inner, younger growth untouched so it can keep producing.
 
If you cut back cilantro too aggressively and remove the growing crown, the plant may struggle to recover.
 
Always cut back cilantro stems at a point just above a leaf node, which is where new growth emerges.
 
This is the same technique you’d use when you cut back cilantro for a big batch of salsa or guacamole.
 

1. Snip the Outer Stems First

The outer stems of cilantro are the ones you want to cut back first.
 
They’re the oldest, so removing them makes room for fresh inner leaves to grow.
 
Grab a handful of outer stems and cut them back about an inch or two from the base.
 
You can cut back cilantro stems individually or take a whole cluster at once.
 
Either way, you’ll end up with a nice harvest and a plant that keeps on giving.
 

2. Leave the Inner Growth Alone

The center of the cilantro plant is where new leaves form, so don’t cut back cilantro there.
 
If you cut back cilantro from the middle, you risk stunting the plant’s growth.
 
Instead, only cut back cilantro around the edges and let the middle do its thing.
 
This is how you cut back cilantro so it keeps producing for weeks instead of days.
 
It’s a simple habit that makes a huge difference when you cut back cilantro regularly.
 

3. Use Sharp, Clean Tools

When you cut back cilantro, always use clean scissors or shears.
 
Dull or dirty tools can crush the stems and introduce disease.
 
Wipe your blades with rubbing alcohol before you cut back cilantro, especially if you’ve used them on other plants.
 
A clean cut heals faster, which means your cilantro bounces back quicker every time you cut back cilantro.
 

When Should You Cut Back Cilantro?

You should cut back cilantro once the plant has enough leaves to spare, usually when it’s about six to eight inches tall.
 
The best time to cut back cilantro is in the morning, when the leaves are crisp and full of flavor.
 
You can cut back cilantro every couple of weeks during the growing season to keep it productive.
 
If your cilantro starts to bolt, you can still cut back cilantro, but the flavor will be sharper and the leaves smaller.
 
The more often you cut back cilantro, the more you delay bolting and extend your harvest.
 

1. Harvest Before the Plant Bolts

Cilantro bolts when the weather heats up, sending up a tall flower stalk.
 
Once it bolts, the leaves turn bitter and the plant stops producing the tender leaves you want.
 
If you cut back cilantro regularly before that happens, you can slow the process down.
 
So cut back cilantro every week or two during warm spells to keep it in leaf production mode.
 

2. Cut Back Cilantro After Flowering If You Want Seeds

If your cilantro has already flowered, don’t panic.
 
You can still cut back cilantro stems, but leave a few flowers if you want coriander seeds.
 
Those seeds are the same thing as the spice you buy at the store.
 
So you can cut back cilantro for leaves early on and let it go to seed later.
 

3. Avoid Cutting Back Cilantro in Extreme Heat

Cutting back cilantro during a heatwave can stress the plant.
 
If temps are above 85°F, wait until things cool down a bit before you cut back cilantro.
 
Stressed plants recover slower, so timing matters when you cut back cilantro.
 

Common Mistakes When You Cut Back Cilantro

One big mistake is cutting back cilantro too low, right at the soil line.
 
That removes the crown and can kill the plant.
 
Another mistake is cutting back cilantro all at once instead of staggered harvests.
 
If you cut back cilantro too much in one go, it may not have enough leaves left to photosynthesize.
 
And finally, don’t cut back cilantro with dull tools, because crushed stems invite rot.
 

1. Cutting Too Low

Always leave at least an inch or two of stem when you cut back cilantro.
 
That leftover stem protects the growing point and helps the plant regrow.
 

2. Cutting Everything at Once

Stagger your harvests so you always have some leaves left.
 
When you cut back cilantro in stages, the plant stays strong and keeps producing.
 

3. Forgetting to Water After You Cut Back Cilantro

After you cut back cilantro, give it a drink.
 
Water helps the plant recover and push out new growth.
 
Just don’t drown it, because soggy soil causes root rot.
 

So, How Do You Cut Back Cilantro?

You cut back cilantro by snipping the outer stems about an inch or two above the soil, leaving the inner growth to keep producing.
 
Use clean tools, harvest in the morning, and cut back cilantro every week or two to delay bolting.
 
Avoid cutting too low or all at once, and always water after you cut back cilantro.
 
With these tips, you’ll know exactly how to cut back cilantro so your plant keeps giving you fresh leaves all season.