How To Harvest And Regrow Cilantro

You can harvest cilantro by snipping the outer stems once the plant reaches about six inches tall.
 
The best part is that the same plant will keep growing back if you harvest it correctly.
 
If you’ve been asking how to harvest and regrow cilantro without killing the plant, you’re in the right place.
 
Cilantro is one of those herbs that rewards you generously when you treat it right.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to harvest and regrow cilantro so you get a steady supply of fresh leaves.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Harvest Cilantro the Right Way

Learning how to harvest cilantro properly is the key to keeping it productive.
 
Here’s what you need to know.
 

1. Start Harvesting When the Plant Is Six Inches Tall

You can begin to harvest cilantro once the plant has grown to about six inches in height.
 
This gives the plant enough time to establish strong roots before you start taking leaves.
 
If you harvest cilantro too early, the plant may struggle to regrow quickly.
 

2. Snip the Outer Stems First

When you harvest cilantro, always target the outer stems before the inner ones.
 
The outer stems are the oldest and most mature.
 
Cut them about one or two inches above the soil line.
 
This encourages the plant to focus its energy on the newer growth in the center.
 

3. Never Take More Than One-Third at a Time

If you harvest cilantro aggressively, you’ll stress the plant.
 
As a rule of thumb, never remove more than one-third of the plant at once.
 
This gives the cilantro enough leaves left to keep photosynthesizing and regrowing.
 

4. Use Clean, Sharp Scissors or Shears

Always use clean scissors or garden shears to harvest cilantro.
 
Dull or dirty tools can crush the stems and introduce disease.
 
A clean cut heals faster and helps the plant bounce back quicker.
 

5. Harvest in the Morning for the Best Flavor

The best time to harvest cilantro is in the cool morning hours.
 
That’s when the leaves are the most hydrated and flavorful.
 
Once you harvest cilantro, use it right away or store it in the fridge for later.
 

How to Regrow Cilantro After Harvesting

The good news is that cilantro regrows quickly when you follow the right steps.
 
Here’s how to regrow cilantro successfully.
 

1. Keep the Soil Consistently Moist

After you harvest cilantro, water the plant regularly.
 
Cilantro likes moist but well-drained soil.
 
Don’t let the soil dry out completely, but don’t drown the roots either.
 
Consistent moisture helps the plant regrow new stems fast.
 

2. Give It Plenty of Sunlight

Cilantro needs at least four to six hours of sunlight a day to regrow well.
 
In hot climates, a little afternoon shade helps prevent bolting.
 
When cilantro bolts, it stops producing leaves and starts making flowers and seeds.
 

3. Feed With a Light Nitrogen Fertilizer

After each harvest, a diluted nitrogen-rich fertilizer gives cilantro a boost.
 
Nitrogen supports leafy green growth.
 
Don’t overdo it though, too much fertilizer can harm the plant.
 

4. Remove Flower Stalks as Soon as They Appear

If you want to keep harvesting cilantro, pinch off flower stalks immediately.
 
Once cilantro starts flowering, the leaves turn bitter and the plant stops producing.
 
Pinching flowers back forces the plant to keep regrowing leaves instead.
 

5. Sow New Seeds Every Few Weeks

Cilantro has a short lifespan, so regrowing cilantro from the same plant only works for so long.
 
To harvest cilantro continuously, sow new seeds every two to three weeks.
 
This ensures you always have fresh plants ready to harvest cilantro from.
 

Common Mistakes When You Harvest and Regrow Cilantro

A few common mistakes can slow down how fast cilantro regrows.
 

1. Cutting Too Close to the Soil

When you harvest cilantro, cutting too close to the soil can kill the plant.
 
Always leave at least an inch or two of stem above the soil.
 

2. Harvesting During Peak Heat

Harvesting cilantro in the middle of a hot afternoon stresses the plant.
 
Stick to early morning or late evening to harvest cilantro safely.
 

3. Letting the Plant Bolt

If you let cilantro bolt, you can’t harvest cilantro leaves anymore.
 
Watch for tall flower stalks and remove them immediately.
 

So, How Do You Harvest and Regrow Cilantro?

You can harvest cilantro by snipping the outer stems about one to two inches above the soil.
 
Then you can regrow cilantro by watering consistently, providing sunlight, feeding lightly, and removing flower stalks.
 
With a little patience, you’ll harvest cilantro again and again from the same plant.
 
So go ahead and harvest and regrow cilantro like a pro.