How To Get Seeds From Cilantro Flowers

You can get seeds from cilantro flowers by letting the plant bolt and watching those tiny white blossoms turn into round green pods.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to get seeds from cilantro flowers, the answer is simpler than you might think.
 
Cilantro seeds are actually the same thing as the spice we call coriander, so you’re getting two harvests for the price of one.
 
When you learn how to get seeds from cilantro flowers, you’ll never need to buy coriander seeds again.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to get seeds from cilantro flowers, when to harvest them, and how to store them so they stay viable for your next planting season.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

Why You Should Get Seeds From Cilantro Flowers

Cilantro is one of those herbs that doesn’t stick around forever, so collecting seeds from cilantro flowers is the smartest way to keep your supply going.
 
Here’s why it’s worth the effort:
 

1. Free Seeds for Next Season

When you get seeds from cilantro flowers, you’re basically creating an endless supply of cilantro for your garden.
 
Each cilantro plant produces dozens of seeds, so a few plants can give you enough coriander seeds to plant for years.
 
You won’t have to spend money on seed packets ever again.
 

2. Coriander Spice for Your Kitchen

The seeds you collect from cilantro flowers aren’t just for planting.
 
They’re the same coriander seeds you buy at the grocery store for cooking.
 
You can toast them, grind them, and use them in curries, soups, and spice blends.
 
So when you harvest seeds from cilantro flowers, you’re stocking both your garden and your pantry.
 

3. It Completes the Plant’s Life Cycle

Cilantro is an annual, which means it’s programmed to bolt, flower, and set seed before dying.
 
Instead of fighting the bolting process, you can embrace it.
 
Letting cilantro flowers mature into seeds means you’re working with nature instead of against it.
 
Plus, those flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and hoverflies to your garden.
 

4. Better Germination Rates

Seeds you collect from cilantro flowers in your own garden are already adapted to your local climate and soil conditions.
 
That means they’ll often germinate better than store-bought seeds.
 
When you save seeds from cilantro flowers, you’re selecting for plants that thrive where you live.
 

How to Get Seeds From Cilantro Flowers Step by Step

Now let’s get into the actual process of harvesting seeds from cilantro flowers.
 
Here’s how to do it right:
 

1. Let Your Cilantro Bolt Naturally

The first step in getting seeds from cilantro flowers is simply letting your cilantro bolt.
 
Bolting happens when the plant sends up a tall stalk with lacy white or pinkish flowers.
 
This usually happens when the weather gets warm, or when the plant is about six to eight weeks old.
 
Don’t cut the flower stalk off if you want seeds.
 
Let it grow tall and flower fully.
 

2. Wait for the Flowers to Turn Into Green Seeds

After the cilantro flowers are pollinated, they’ll start to fade and form small green, round seeds.
 
At this stage, the seeds are still green and soft.
 
You can actually eat these green seeds fresh, and they taste citrusy and herbaceous.
 
But if you want to harvest seeds from cilantro flowers for planting or drying, you need to wait a bit longer.
 

3. Let the Seeds Turn Brown and Dry

This is the most important part of how to get seeds from cilantro flowers.
 
The green seeds will gradually turn tan or light brown as they mature.
 
Once they’re brown and dry, they’re ready to harvest.
 
If you pick them too early, they won’t be viable.
 
If you wait too long, they’ll drop to the ground and you’ll lose them.
 

4. Harvest the Seeds Before They Drop

When most of the seeds on a stalk have turned brown, it’s time to act.
 
Cut the entire seed head off the plant and hold it over a paper bag or bowl.
 
Gently rub the seeds loose with your fingers, or shake the stalk so the seeds fall out.
 
You can also tie a paper bag over the seed head while it’s still on the plant to catch seeds as they drop.
 

5. Dry and Store Your Cilantro Seeds

Once you’ve collected seeds from cilantro flowers, spread them out in a single layer on a paper towel or screen.
 
Let them dry for about a week in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
 
After they’re completely dry, store them in an airtight container or paper envelope.
 
Label the container with the date so you know how fresh your seeds are.
 
Cilantro seeds stored properly will stay viable for two to three years.
 

Common Mistakes When Getting Seeds From Cilantro Flowers

Even though getting seeds from cilantro flowers is easy, a few mistakes can ruin your harvest.
 
Here’s what to avoid:
 

1. Harvesting Too Early

If you pick seeds from cilantro flowers while they’re still green, they won’t germinate.
 
Always wait until they’re brown and dry before collecting them.
 

2. Letting Seeds Drop to the Ground

Cilantro seeds shatter easily once they’re fully dry.
 
Check your plants daily once the seeds start turning brown so you don’t lose them.
 

3. Storing Damp Seeds

If you store seeds from cilantro flowers before they’re completely dry, they’ll mold.
 
Make sure they’re bone dry before sealing them in a container.
 

4. Growing Cilantro in Extreme Heat

Cilantro bolts fastest in hot weather, which means the seeds may not fully mature before the plant dies.
 
If you live in a hot climate, plant cilantro in partial shade or grow it in spring and fall.
 

So, How Do You Get Seeds From Cilantro Flowers?

You get seeds from cilantro flowers by letting the plant bolt, waiting for the flowers to turn into brown, dry seeds, and harvesting them before they drop.
 
It’s a simple process that rewards you with free seeds for planting and a steady supply of coriander for cooking.
 
Just remember to let your cilantro flower fully, wait for the seeds to dry on the plant, and store them properly once harvested.
 
Once you know how to get seeds from cilantro flowers, you’ll never have to buy cilantro seeds again.
 
Happy gardening.