How To Properly Harvest Cilantro

To properly harvest cilantro, you should start picking the outer leaves once the plant has reached about six inches tall.
 
This simple approach keeps your cilantro growing for weeks instead of bolting and going to seed too quickly.
 
If you’ve ever watched your cilantro plant shoot up a tall stalk and turn into something that looks more like a weed than an herb, you’re not alone.
 
The good news is that harvesting cilantro the right way makes a huge difference in how long you get to enjoy those fresh, citrusy leaves.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to properly harvest cilantro, when to do it, and the mistakes that cause your plant to give up on you early.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Properly Harvest Cilantro: The Basics

Knowing how to properly harvest cilantro comes down to one simple rule: never take more than a third of the plant at once.
 
Cilantro is a fast-growing herb, and it rewards you generously when you harvest cilantro with a bit of patience.
 
Here’s what that looks like in practice.
 

1. Start With the Outer Stems

The best place to begin when you harvest cilantro is with the outer, larger stems.
 
These are the oldest leaves, and they’re ready to be picked while the inner stems keep growing.
 
Use clean scissors or your fingers to snip them close to the base of the plant.
 
This encourages new growth from the center.
 

2. Snip Above the Soil Line

When you harvest cilantro, always cut above the soil line and never yank the plant out by the roots.
 
Cilantro is an annual, but it will keep producing if you leave the crown intact.
 
Cutting too low can damage the growing point and stop production altogether.
 

3. Harvest in the Morning

The best time to harvest cilantro is in the cool morning hours.
 
That’s when the leaves are crisp and full of flavor.
 
By midday, the heat can cause cilantro to wilt, and you’ll end up with sad, limp leaves.
 

4. Pick Before the Plant Bolts

Once you see a tall central stalk forming, your cilantro is bolting.
 
At that point, you can still harvest cilantro leaves, but they’ll start turning bitter.
 
Pick what you can and consider letting the rest go to seed for coriander.
 

When to Harvest Cilantro for the Best Flavor

Timing matters just as much as technique when you harvest cilantro.
 
Here’s how to know it’s the right moment.
 

1. Wait Until the Plant Is Six to Eight Inches Tall

Don’t harvest cilantro too early.
 
Give your plant time to reach at least six inches.
 
That way, it has enough foliage to recover after you take what you need.
 

2. Look for Full, Flat Leaves

The leaves should be broad and flat, not feathery.
 
Once cilantro leaves start looking lacy and thin, the plant is past its prime.
 
That’s a sign to harvest cilantro immediately or let it go to seed.
 

3. Harvest Every One to Two Weeks

Regular picking keeps the plant productive.
 
If you harvest cilantro consistently, you’ll get a steady supply of fresh leaves for salsas, soups, and tacos.
 

Common Mistakes When You Harvest Cilantro

Even seasoned gardeners slip up here, so let’s cover what to avoid.
 

1. Cutting the Whole Plant Down

If you harvest cilantro by chopping the entire plant to the ground, it may not come back.
 
Always leave at least a third of the plant standing.
 

2. Harvesting in the Heat of the Day

Hot afternoons make cilantro wilt fast.
 
If you harvest cilantro under the midday sun, the leaves will droop before you even get them inside.
 

3. Ignoring the Bolting Signs

Once cilantro bolts, the flavor changes.
 
Keep an eye out for that tall stalk, and harvest cilantro before it takes over.
 

4. Overwatering After Harvest

After you harvest cilantro, the plant needs a little recovery time.
 
Water lightly, but don’t drown it.
 
Too much moisture invites root rot and can kill the plant.
 

How to Store Your Harvested Cilantro

Once you harvest cilantro, you’ll want to keep it fresh.
 
Here are a few quick tips.
 

1. Wrap in a Damp Paper Towel

Place your harvested cilantro in a damp paper towel and then into a plastic bag.
 
This keeps the leaves hydrated without making them soggy.
 

2. Store in the Fridge

Cilantro lasts about a week in the refrigerator when stored properly.
 
Keep it in the crisper drawer for the best results.
 

3. Freeze for Later

If you harvest cilantro faster than you can use it, chop and freeze it in ice cube trays with a little water or oil.
 
That way, you can drop a cube into soups and stews anytime.
 

So, How Do You Properly Harvest Cilantro?

To properly harvest cilantro, pick the outer leaves, cut above the soil line, and never take more than a third of the plant at once.
 
Harvest cilantro in the morning for the best flavor, and keep an eye out for bolting so you can act before the leaves turn bitter.
 
With these simple habits, you’ll enjoy fresh cilantro all season long.