How To Get Coriander Seeds From Cilantro

You can get coriander seeds from cilantro by simply letting the plant bolt and flower, then harvesting the dried seed heads once they turn brown.
 
Cilantro and coriander are actually the same plant, just at different stages of growth, so the seeds you buy in the spice aisle are the very same things you can collect from your own garden.
 
If you’ve been asking how to get coriander seeds from cilantro, the good news is that it’s one of the easiest seed-saving projects you can take on.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to get coriander seeds from cilantro step by step, when to harvest them, and how to store them so they stay flavorful for months.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Get Coriander Seeds from Cilantro

Getting coriander seeds from cilantro comes down to one simple thing: you have to let the plant flower.
 
When cilantro gets too hot or gets too old, it bolts, which means it shoots up a tall stem and produces delicate white or pink flowers.
 
Those flowers are the first step toward getting coriander seeds from cilantro, because each bloom eventually turns into a seed pod.
 
So instead of fighting the bolt and yanking the plant out, you lean into it and let nature do its thing.
 
Here’s how the process works from start to finish.
 

1. Let Your Cilantro Bolt Naturally

The first step in how to get coriander seeds from cilantro is letting the plant bolt.
 
Bolting happens fast once temperatures climb above 75°F, and honestly, it’s hard to stop.
 
So if your cilantro starts shooting up a tall stalk, don’t panic, that’s exactly what you want for seed production.
 
You can also plant cilantro specifically for seed by sowing it in late spring or early summer when you know the heat will trigger flowering.
 
 

2. Watch the Flowers Turn into Seed Heads

After the flowers fade, small green seed pods start forming in clusters at the top of the plant.
 
These clusters are where coriander seeds come from, and they’ll slowly change from green to a light tan or brown.
 
This is the stage where you need a little patience, because picking too early means the seeds won’t be fully developed.
 
If you’re wondering how to get coriander seeds from cilantro at the right time, just watch the color, it’s your best clue.
 
 

3. Let the Seed Heads Dry on the Plant

Once the seed heads turn brown, stop watering the plant and let them dry out completely on the stalk.
 
Drying on the plant is the easiest way to get coriander seeds from cilantro, because the seeds finish maturing right where they grew.
 
If rain is in the forecast, you can pull the whole plant and hang it upside down in a dry, airy spot instead.
 
Either way, the seeds need to be fully dry before you harvest them, or they’ll mold in storage.
 
 

4. Harvest the Seeds Before They Drop

Here’s the tricky part of how to get coriander seeds from cilantro: the seeds scatter as soon as they’re ready.
 
So keep a close eye on those brown seed heads and check them every day once they start changing color.
 
When they’re dry and rattly, snip the seed heads off into a paper bag or a bowl.
 
If you wait too long, you’ll find your cilantro has launched its coriander seeds all over the garden bed.
 
 

5. Rub the Seed Heads to Release the Seeds

Once you’ve got your dried seed heads indoors, gently rub them between your fingers over a bowl.
 
The dried husks will crumble away, and the round, tan coriander seeds will fall right out.
 
This is the moment all your patience pays off, and you finally see how to get coriander seeds from cilantro in your own hands.
 
Pick out any stems or chaff, and you’re left with clean, ready-to-use seeds.
 
 

When to Harvest Coriander Seeds from Cilantro

Timing is everything when you’re learning how to get coriander seeds from cilantro.
 
The best window is when the seed heads have turned brown but haven’t split open yet.
 
If the seeds are still green, they’re not ready, and if the pods have cracked, you’ve probably already lost some to the ground.
 
A good rule of thumb is to check your cilantro plants every morning during the seed-forming stage.
 
 

1. Color Is Your Best Indicator

Green means wait, tan means almost, and brown means go.
 
That color shift is the clearest sign of when to get coriander seeds from cilantro.
 
 

2. Warm Weather Speeds Things Up

Hot, dry days push cilantro through its life cycle fast, sometimes in just a few weeks.
 
So if you’re growing in summer, plan to check your plants daily.
 
 

3. Cool Weather Slows the Process

In mild climates, cilantro may take longer to bolt, which gives you more time but also means slower seed development.
 
Either way, patience is part of how to get coriander seeds from cilantro successfully.
 
 

How to Store Coriander Seeds from Cilantro

Once you’ve figured out how to get coriander seeds from cilantro, storing them properly keeps them fresh.
 
Let the seeds dry for another week in a shallow bowl or paper bag before storing.
 
Then tuck them into an airtight jar and keep it in a cool, dark cabinet.
 
Whole coriander seeds from cilantro will stay flavorful for about a year, and you can grind them whenever you need.
 
You can also save a few seeds to plant next season, which means your cilantro supply never really ends.
 
 

So, How Do You Get Coriander Seeds from Cilantro?

You get coriander seeds from cilantro by letting the plant bolt, flower, and form seed heads, then harvesting the brown pods once they’re dry.
 
It’s a simple, rewarding process that turns a bolting plant into a free spice stash.
 
Let your cilantro go to seed, watch the color change, harvest at the right moment, and store your coriander seeds properly.
 
That way you get coriander seeds from cilantro without spending a dime at the store.