This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
You get seeds from cilantro by letting the plant bolt and flower, then waiting for those flowers to turn into seed heads.
Those seed heads are what we commonly call coriander seeds, and they’re completely edible.
If you’ve ever wondered how do you get seeds from cilantro, the answer is simpler than you might think.
You just have to be patient and let nature do its thing.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to get seeds from cilantro step by step, when to harvest them, and how to store them properly.
Let’s dive in.
How Do You Get Seeds From Cilantro? The Short Answer
To get seeds from cilantro, you need to let the plant go to seed instead of constantly harvesting the leaves.
Cilantro is a cool-season herb that naturally bolts when temperatures rise or when it reaches the end of its life cycle.
Bolting means the plant shoots up a tall stalk, produces small white or pink flowers, and then forms seeds.
Those seeds start out green and eventually turn brown as they mature.
Once they’re brown and dry, you can collect them, and congratulations, you’ve got coriander seeds.
1. Let Your Cilantro Bolt Naturally
The first step in getting seeds from cilantro is allowing the plant to bolt.
This happens when the weather gets warm, usually above 75°F, or when the plant is nearing the end of its growing cycle.
Instead of cutting the leaves for your salsa, let the plant grow upward and form a flower stalk.
It might look a little leggy and wild, but that’s exactly what you want.
If you keep trimming the leaves, the plant will keep producing foliage instead of seeds.
So if your goal is to get seeds from cilantro, you have to resist the urge to harvest.
2. Wait for Flowers to Appear
After bolting, your cilantro plant will produce tiny white or pale pink flowers.
These flowers are actually quite pretty and attract beneficial insects like bees and hoverflies to your garden.
This flowering stage is a critical part of how you get seeds from cilantro because the flowers are the precursor to the seeds.
Don’t rush this part.
Let the flowers bloom fully and then start to fade.
3. Watch for Seed Heads to Form
Once the flowers fade, small green seed pods will start to develop.
These green seeds are technically the cilantro seeds, but they’re not ready yet.
At this stage, they’re still soft and full of moisture.
You’ll notice them clustered together in little round balls at the top of the plant.
This is the seed head, and it’s where all the magic happens.
When to Harvest Cilantro Seeds
Timing is everything when it comes to harvesting seeds from cilantro.
If you pick them too early, they won’t be viable or flavorful.
If you wait too long, they’ll drop to the ground and you’ll lose them.
Here’s how to know when they’re ready.
1. Look for Brown, Dry Seeds
The best time to harvest cilantro seeds is when they turn brown and dry on the plant.
They should rattle slightly inside their husks when you shake the stalk.
The color will shift from green to a tan or light brown shade.
This is your signal that the seeds are mature and ready to be collected.
2. Check for Seed Drop
Another sign that your cilantro seeds are ready is when you start seeing a few seeds fall naturally.
If you notice seeds dropping on their own, it’s time to act fast.
You can gently cup your hand under the seed head and shake it.
If seeds fall out easily, they’re ready to harvest.
3. Harvest in the Morning
The best time of day to collect seeds from cilantro is in the morning after the dew has dried.
This is when the seeds are dry and less likely to mold.
Avoid harvesting right after rain or when it’s humid.
Moisture is the enemy of stored seeds.
How to Collect and Store Cilantro Seeds
Once your cilantro seeds are ready, collecting them is a breeze.
Here’s how to do it properly.
1. Cut the Seed Heads
Use a pair of clean scissors or pruners to snip off the entire seed head.
Leave a few inches of stem attached so you have something to hold onto.
Place the seed heads upside down in a paper bag.
This way, any seeds that fall off during handling are captured in the bag.
2. Let Them Dry Further
If your seeds aren’t completely dry when you harvest them, spread them out on a baking sheet or screen.
Leave them in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for a week or two.
They need to be completely dry before storage, or they’ll rot.
3. Separate Seeds from Chaff
Once dry, rub the seed heads between your fingers to release the seeds.
You can also shake them in a sieve to separate the seeds from the dried stems and flowers.
Pick out any debris and discard it.
What you’re left with are clean, dried coriander seeds.
4. Store in an Airtight Container
Store your cilantro seeds in an airtight glass jar or container.
Keep them in a cool, dark, dry place like a pantry or spice cabinet.
Label the jar with the date so you know how fresh they are.
Properly stored, cilantro seeds will keep for up to two years.
So, How Do You Get Seeds From Cilantro?
You get seeds from cilantro by letting the plant bolt, flower, and produce seed heads, then harvesting those seeds when they turn brown and dry.
It’s a natural process that requires patience more than skill.
Just let your cilantro go to seed instead of constantly trimming it, and you’ll be rewarded with a generous supply of coriander seeds.
Whether you use them for cooking, replanting, or sharing with friends, learning how do you get seeds from cilantro is a rewarding skill for any gardener.
So next time your cilantro bolts, don’t panic.
Celebrate, because you’re about to get seeds from cilantro and stock your spice rack for free.