How To Harvest Cilantro And Basil Seeds

You can harvest cilantro and basil seeds easily once the plants have fully flowered and the seed heads turn brown and dry.
 
Both cilantro and basil seeds are simple to collect, and you don’t need any special tools to get the job done.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to harvest cilantro and basil seeds, the process is basically the same for both plants.
 
You just need to let them bolt, wait for the seeds to mature, and then collect them before they drop to the ground.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to harvest cilantro and basil seeds step by step, plus how to store them so they stay viable for your next planting season.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

How to Harvest Cilantro and Basil Seeds: The Basics

 
Learning how to harvest cilantro and basil seeds starts with understanding how these plants produce seeds in the first place.
 
When you harvest cilantro and basil seeds, you’re essentially collecting the dried fruit of the plant after it has finished its life cycle.
 
Cilantro seeds are actually the same thing as coriander seeds, which you might already have in your spice rack.
 
Basil seeds, on the other hand, are tiny black seeds that form inside the dried flower spikes.
 
Here’s what you need to know about harvesting cilantro and basil seeds:
 

1. Let Your Plants Bolt

 
Before you can harvest cilantro and basil seeds, you have to let your plants bolt, which means letting them go to flower.
 
For cilantro, bolting happens fast when the weather warms up, and the plant sends up tall stalks with delicate white flowers.
 
Basil bolts too, producing spikes of small white or purple flowers at the top of the plant.
 
If you keep pinching off the flowers, you’ll never get seeds, so you have to resist the urge to prune.
 

2. Wait for the Seed Heads to Dry

 
Once the flowers fade, seed heads start to form, and this is the critical stage for how to harvest cilantro and basil seeds.
 
The seeds need to turn brown and dry on the plant before you collect them.
 
Cilantro seeds change from green to a light brown color, and they’ll rattle slightly inside the husk when they’re ready.
 
Basil seed heads turn brown and crispy, and the tiny black seeds inside will be fully mature.
 
If you harvest cilantro and basil seeds too early, they won’t germinate well next season.
 

3. Check Them Often

 
Timing matters when you harvest cilantro and basil seeds because they can drop quickly once they’re fully dry.
 
Check your plants every day or two once the seed heads start turning brown.
 
You want to harvest cilantro and basil seeds right before they scatter on their own.
 
 

Step-by-Step Guide to Harvesting Cilantro and Basil Seeds

 
Now that you know the signs, here’s exactly how to harvest cilantro and basil seeds without losing half of them to the ground.
 

1. Snip the Seed Heads in the Morning

 
The best time to harvest cilantro and basil seeds is in the morning after the dew has dried.
 
Use sharp scissors or pruners to snip the seed heads off the plant.
 
Hold a paper bag or bowl underneath as you cut so you don’t lose any seeds.
 
When you harvest cilantro and basil seeds this way, you minimize waste and mess.
 

2. Put Them in a Paper Bag

 
After you harvest cilantro and basil seeds, place the seed heads in a paper bag and fold the top closed.
 
Label the bag with the plant name and the date so you remember what you harvested.
 
Let the bag sit in a cool, dry spot for about a week or two.
 
This gives any remaining moisture time to evaporate, which helps when you harvest cilantro and basil seeds for long-term storage.
 

3. Shake and Separate the Seeds

 
Once the seed heads are completely dry, shake the bag vigorously to release the seeds.
 
For cilantro, you may need to rub the seed heads between your fingers to break them apart.
 
For basil, the seeds usually fall out easily once the flower spikes are crushed.
 
Pick out any stems or chaff, and you’re left with clean seeds.
 

4. Store Your Seeds Properly

 
The final step in how to harvest cilantro and basil seeds is storing them correctly.
 
Place the dried seeds in a small envelope, a glass jar, or a resealable bag.
 
Keep them in a cool, dark, and dry place, like a pantry or a drawer.
 
When you harvest cilantro and basil seeds and store them this way, they’ll stay viable for two to three years.
 
 

Common Mistakes When You Harvest Cilantro and Basil Seeds

 
Even experienced gardeners run into problems when they harvest cilantro and basil seeds.
 
Here are a few mistakes to avoid:
 

1. Harvesting Too Early

 
If you harvest cilantro and basil seeds while they’re still green, they won’t sprout.
 
Always wait until the seeds are brown and dry before collecting them.
 

2. Letting Seeds Drop

 
Cilantro and basil seeds scatter fast once they’re ready.
 
If you wait too long to harvest cilantro and basil seeds, you’ll find them all over the soil instead of in your bag.
 

3. Storing Them While Damp

 
Moisture is the enemy of stored seeds.
 
If you harvest cilantro and basil seeds and put them away before they’re fully dry, they’ll mold and rot.
 
 

So, How Do You Harvest Cilantro and Basil Seeds?

 
You harvest cilantro and basil seeds by letting the plants bolt, waiting for the seed heads to turn brown and dry, and then collecting them before they drop.
 
The process is simple, and it works the same way for both plants.
 
Just remember to dry the seeds thoroughly and store them in a cool, dark place.
 
Once you know how to harvest cilantro and basil seeds, you’ll never have to buy them again.
 
Happy harvesting.