How To Cut Cilantro Leaves From Plant

You can cut cilantro leaves from the plant by using clean, sharp scissors or garden shears and snipping the stems just above the base of the plant.
 
But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it if you want your cilantro to keep producing.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to cut cilantro leaves from plant without killing it, the good news is that cilantro is one of the most forgiving herbs you can grow.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to cut cilantro leaves from plant, when to do it, and the simple mistakes to avoid so your plant keeps giving you fresh leaves for weeks.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

How to Cut Cilantro Leaves From Plant the Right Way

Learning how to cut cilantro leaves from plant starts with understanding where to snip.
 
Cilantro grows from a central stem, and every leaf you see is attached to a stem that branches off that base.
 
When you cut cilantro leaves from plant, you want to take the entire stem, not just pluck individual leaves.
 
Here’s how to cut cilantro leaves from plant step by step.
 

1. Start With Clean, Sharp Tools

Before you cut cilantro leaves from plant, grab a pair of sharp kitchen scissors or small garden shears.
 
Wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol or wash them with soapy water first.
 
Clean cuts heal faster and sharp blades prevent crushing the stems, which is important when you cut cilantro leaves from plant.
 

2. Cut From the Outside In

The best way to cut cilantro leaves from plant is to work from the outer stems inward.
 
Those outer stems are the oldest and thickest, so cutting them first opens up space for new growth in the center.
 
When you cut cilantro leaves from plant this way, you’re basically giving the plant a trim that encourages fresh stems to shoot up.
 

3. Snip Just Above the Base

Here’s the key move: when you cut cilantro leaves from plant, cut each stem about one to two inches above the soil line.
 
Don’t cut all the way down to the crown.
 
Leaving a little stem behind protects the growing point, and that’s what allows the plant to regrow after you cut cilantro leaves from plant.
 

4. Never Take More Than a Third at Once

If you cut cilantro leaves from plant aggressively, you’ll stress it out.
 
The rule of thumb is to never harvest more than one-third of the plant at a time.
 
That way, when you cut cilantro leaves from plant, there’s still plenty of foliage left to keep photosynthesis going.
 

5. Use Scissors, Not Your Fingers

You can pinch soft herbs like basil, but cilantro stems are a bit tougher.
 
It’s better to cut cilantro leaves from plant with scissors so you get a clean cut instead of a bruised, torn stem.
 
A clean cut also keeps the plant healthier, which matters every time you cut cilantro leaves from plant.
 

When to Cut Cilantro Leaves From Plant

Timing matters just as much as technique when you cut cilantro leaves from plant.
 
Here’s when to do it for the best results.
 

1. Wait Until the Plant Is 6 Inches Tall

Don’t cut cilantro leaves from plant too early.
 
Give it time to reach at least six inches tall with several sets of leaves.
 
If you cut cilantro leaves from plant before it’s established, you’ll stunt its growth permanently.
 

2. Harvest in the Morning

The best time to cut cilantro leaves from plant is in the cool morning hours.
 
That’s when the leaves are crisp and full of moisture.
 
If you cut cilantro leaves from plant during the heat of the day, the leaves wilt faster and don’t store as well.
 

3. Harvest Before the Plant Bolts

Cilantro has a short life cycle and bolts quickly in warm weather.
 
Once you see a tall central stalk forming, the plant is about to flower and the leaves turn bitter.
 
So if you want the best flavor, cut cilantro leaves from plant before that stalk appears.
 

4. Pick Regularly to Keep It Producing

The more often you cut cilantro leaves from plant, the more it produces.
 
Aim to cut cilantro leaves from plant every one to two weeks during the growing season.
 
Regular harvesting keeps the plant bushy and delays bolting, so you get more chances to cut cilantro leaves from plant over a longer period.
 

Common Mistakes When You Cut Cilantro Leaves From Plant

Even seasoned gardeners slip up here, so let’s cover what to avoid.
 

1. Pulling Instead of Cutting

Yanking leaves off damages the roots and stems.
 
Always cut cilantro leaves from plant with a clean snip instead of tugging.
 

2. Cutting the Whole Plant Down

Chopping everything at once is the fastest way to end your harvest.
 
When you cut cilantro leaves from plant, leave the crown and some stems intact so it can bounce back.
 

3. Harvesting From the Center

Cutting the new growth in the middle slows regrowth.
 
Stick to the outer stems when you cut cilantro leaves from plant and leave the tender center alone.
 

So, How to Cut Cilantro Leaves From Plant?

You cut cilantro leaves from plant by snipping the outer stems one to two inches above the soil with clean, sharp scissors.
 
Take no more than a third of the plant at a time, harvest in the morning, and repeat every week or two.
 
Do this consistently and your cilantro will keep rewarding you with fresh, fragrant leaves all season long.