This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
You can harvest seeds from cilantro by letting a few plants bolt and go to seed.
That’s the simple answer, and it’s honestly one of the easiest seed-saving projects you’ll ever take on.
If you’ve ever wondered how to harvest seeds from cilantro, the good news is you don’t need fancy tools or a science degree.
Cilantro seeds are literally the coriander spice sitting in your kitchen cabinet, so you’re basically growing a two-for-one crop.
In this post, we’ll walk through when to harvest cilantro seeds, how to collect them without losing half the crop on the ground, and how to store them so they sprout beautifully next season.
Let’s dig in.
Why Harvest Seeds From Cilantro
Learning how to harvest seeds from cilantro is worth it for a few really good reasons.
1. Free Seeds Forever
When you harvest cilantro seeds from your own garden, you never have to buy them again.
Each plant produces dozens of seeds, so a handful of bolted cilantro can supply you for years.
2. Two Harvests in One Plant
The seeds you harvest from cilantro are the same thing as coriander.
So the plant gives you fresh leaves first, then a spice crop later.
That’s a pretty sweet deal for one little herb.
3. Better Germination Rates
Seeds you harvest from cilantro in your own garden are adapted to your local climate.
That means when you plant them, they tend to sprout faster and stronger than store-bought packets.
When to Harvest Cilantro Seeds
Timing is everything when you want to harvest seeds from cilantro.
Pick too early and the seeds won’t be viable.
Wait too long and they’ll drop to the ground before you get to them.
1. Watch for Bolting
Cilantro bolts when the weather warms up, sending up a tall stalk with lacy white flowers.
This is the plant’s way of saying it’s ready to make seeds.
Once you see flowers, stop harvesting leaves and let the plant do its thing.
2. Look for Color Change
After the flowers fade, small green seeds form in clusters.
These seeds start green and slowly turn tan or light brown as they mature.
You’ll know it’s time to harvest cilantro seeds when about half the seeds on the plant have turned brown.
3. Check for Dryness
The seeds should feel dry and papery, not soft or squishy.
If you squeeze one and it’s still moist inside, give it a few more days.
How to Harvest Seeds From Cilantro Step by Step
Here’s the actual process for how to harvest seeds from cilantro without making a mess.
1. Cut the Seed Heads
Grab a pair of clean scissors or pruners.
Snip the entire seed head off, leaving a few inches of stem attached.
Do this in the morning after the dew has dried but before the afternoon heat.
2. Use a Paper Bag
Hold a paper bag under the seed head and cut it so the whole cluster drops inside.
This is the trick to harvest cilantro seeds without losing them all over your garden beds.
3. Let Them Dry Indoors
Lay the seed heads out on a tray or hang them upside down in a paper bag.
Give them one to two weeks in a cool, dry spot with good airflow.
4. Rub and Separate
Once everything is bone dry, rub the seed heads between your fingers.
The seeds will pop right out of their husks.
Pick out any stems or chaff and you’re left with clean coriander seeds.
Storing Seeds You Harvest From Cilantro
How you store the seeds you harvest from cilantro decides whether they’ll sprout next spring.
1. Use an Airtight Container
Drop your seeds into a small glass jar or a zip-top bag.
Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.
2. Keep Them Cool and Dark
Store your cilantro seeds in a cupboard or the back of a fridge.
Heat and light are the two things that kill seed viability fastest.
3. Label With the Date
Write the year on the jar so you know how old your seeds are.
Seeds you harvest from cilantro stay viable for about two to three years.
So, How Do You Harvest Seeds From Cilantro?
You harvest seeds from cilantro by letting a few plants bolt, waiting for the seed heads to turn brown, and collecting them before they drop.
It’s a slow but simple process that rewards you with a free supply of coriander for cooking and planting.
Just remember to dry them fully and store them somewhere cool and dark.
Once you know how to harvest seeds from cilantro, you’ll never look at a bolting plant as a problem again.
It’s just next season’s garden waiting to happen.