How To Harvest Coriander Plant

To harvest coriander plant, you simply snip off the leaves you need, starting from the outside of the plant and working your way in.
 
It’s one of the easiest herbs to harvest because you can take just a little at a time and the plant keeps on growing.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to harvest coriander plant without killing it or ruining the flavor, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to harvest coriander plant leaves, seeds, and even the roots, so you get the most out of every single plant.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Harvest Coriander Plant Leaves

The leaves are the part most people think of when they harvest coriander plant, and luckily they’re the simplest to take.
 
Here’s how to do it right so your plant keeps producing.
 

1. Start When the Plant Is Big Enough

Before you harvest coriander plant leaves, wait until the plant is at least six inches tall.
 
If you snip too early, you’ll stunt its growth and get very little in return.
 
Give it a couple of weeks after planting, and you’ll have plenty of foliage to work with.
 

2. Snip From the Outside In

When you harvest coriander plant leaves, always take the outer stems first.
 
These are the older, more mature leaves, and removing them encourages new growth in the center.
 
Use clean scissors or garden shears to cut the stem close to the base of the plant.
 

3. Never Take More Than a Third

A good rule when you harvest coriander plant is to never remove more than one-third of the leaves at once.
 
The plant needs those remaining leaves to keep photosynthesizing and growing back strong.
 
If you take too much, you’ll stress the plant and slow down future harvests.
 

4. Harvest in the Morning

The best time to harvest coriander plant leaves is in the cool morning hours.
 
That’s when the leaves are crisp and full of flavor before the heat of the day hits them.
 
Just cut what you need for the day, and the plant will reward you with fresh regrowth.
 

How to Harvest Coriander Seeds

If you let your coriander plant flower, you can harvest coriander seeds, which is the spice most people know as coriander.
 
Here’s how to harvest coriander plant seeds the right way.
 

1. Let the Plant Bolt and Flower

To harvest coriander plant seeds, you first need to let the plant bolt.
 
That means letting it send up a tall stalk with delicate white or pink flowers.
 
Once those flowers fade, small round seed pods will start to form.
 

2. Wait for the Seeds to Turn Brown

Don’t harvest coriander plant seeds while they’re still green.
 
Wait until the pods turn light brown and start to dry out on the plant.
 
That’s your signal that the seeds inside are mature and ready.
 

3. Cut the Stalks and Dry Them

When you’re ready to harvest coriander plant seeds, cut the whole seed head off with scissors.
 
Tie the stems together and hang them upside down in a paper bag.
 
After a week or two, the seeds will drop into the bag, and you can store them in a jar.
 

How to Harvest Coriander Roots

Not many people know this, but you can also harvest coriander plant roots, especially if you’re growing the kind used in Thai cooking.
 
Here’s how to harvest coriander plant roots without wasting the rest of the plant.
 

1. Pull the Whole Plant at the End of the Season

The best time to harvest coriander plant roots is when the plant is done producing leaves or has bolted.
 
Grab the base of the stem and gently pull the whole plant out of the soil.
 
Shake off the dirt so you can see the roots clearly.
 

2. Wash and Use Them Fresh

Once you harvest coriander plant roots, rinse them well under running water.
 
You can use them fresh in curries, soups, or pastes for a deep, earthy flavor.
 
They also freeze well if you want to save them for later.
 

3. Don’t Waste the Leaves and Stems

Even when you harvest coriander plant roots, the leaves and stems above ground are still usable.
 
Chop them up and freeze them in ice cube trays with a little water or oil.
 
That way, nothing from your harvest goes to waste.
 

So, How to Harvest Coriander Plant?

To harvest coriander plant, just snip the outer leaves regularly, let some plants go to seed for coriander spice, and pull the roots at the end of the season.
 
It’s really that simple.
 
Whether you harvest coriander plant leaves for salads or harvest coriander plant seeds for your spice rack, the key is to be gentle and take only what you need.
 
Hope this post has helped you understand exactly how to harvest coriander plant from leaf to root.