How To Reseed Cilantro

You can reseed cilantro easily by letting a few plants bolt and drop their seeds, then scattering those seeds where you want new plants to grow.
 
If you’ve been asking how to reseed cilantro because your patch keeps dying out in the heat, this is actually the simplest way to keep a steady supply going.
 
Cilantro reseeds itself naturally when you stop harvesting every single leaf and allow a plant or two to flower.
 
Those little white flowers turn into round green seeds that eventually dry and fall right to the soil.
 
Learning how to reseed cilantro gives you a cilantro patch that comes back on its own without much effort at all.
 
In this post, we will look at how to reseed cilantro, why bolting is actually a good thing, and how to get those seeds sprouting again.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Why Cilantro Reseeds Itself So Easily

Cilantro reseeds itself reliably, and once you understand why, you’ll stop fighting the plant and start working with it.
 
Here’s what makes reseeding cilantro so simple.
 

1. Cilantro Bolts Fast in Warm Weather

Cilantro is a cool-season herb, which means it bolts the moment temperatures climb.
 
Bolting means the plant shoots up a tall stem and stops producing tender leaves.
 
But that’s not a bad thing if your goal is how to reseed cilantro, because bolting is the first step in seed production.
 
The plant isn’t dying, it’s just switching from leaf mode to seed mode.
 

2. Each Flower Head Makes Dozens of Seeds

One bolted cilantro plant can produce dozens of coriander seeds.
 
Those seeds are the same coriander you buy in the spice aisle.
 
When you let cilantro reseed, you’re basically growing your own coriander for free.
 
And each seed can turn into a brand new cilantro plant when conditions are right.
 

3. The Seeds Drop Right Where They Land

You don’t have to do anything for natural cilantro reseeding to happen.
 
As the seed heads dry, the seeds fall around the base of the parent plant.
 
This is why you’ll often see baby cilantro popping up on its own the following season.
 
Mother nature handles how to reseed cilantro for you if you just leave the plant alone.
 

How to Reseed Cilantro Step by Step

If you want control over where your new cilantro grows, here’s how to reseed cilantro on purpose.
 

1. Let a Few Plants Bolt on Purpose

Pick two or three healthy cilantro plants and stop harvesting from them.
 
Let them flower and form seeds instead.
 
This gives you a seed source while the rest of your plants keep producing leaves for your kitchen.
 

2. Collect the Seeds When They Turn Brown

Watch the seed heads closely as they mature.
 
When the seeds shift from green to light brown, they’re ready.
 
Cut the stems and drop the seed heads into a paper bag.
 
Shake the bag, and the seeds will fall right off.
 

3. Scatter the Seeds Where You Want New Plants

To reseed cilantro, simply scatter those seeds over prepared soil.
 
Press them in lightly, about a quarter inch deep, and water gently.
 
You don’t need to space them perfectly for a reseeding cilantro patch.
 
Thin the seedlings later if they come up too crowded.
 

4. Let Some Seeds Fall Naturally Too

For the laziest approach to how to reseed cilantro, just leave a few seed heads on the plant.
 
The wind and watering will knock the seeds to the ground for you.
 
This is the easiest way to let cilantro reseed itself year after year.
 

Tips for Successful Cilantro Reseeding

A few small habits make reseeding cilantro far more reliable.
 

1. Time It With the Seasons

Cilantro grows best in cool weather, so reseed in early spring or fall.
 
Seeds planted in the heat of summer often struggle to sprout.
 
For continuous harvests, reseed cilantro every few weeks during cool spells.
 

2. Keep the Soil Moist

Cilantro seeds need consistent moisture to germinate.
 
Water lightly every day until you see green sprouts.
 
Don’t let the soil dry out completely while you’re reseeding cilantro.
 

3. Don’t Till the Area

If you want cilantro to reseed on its own, leave the soil around your plants undisturbed.
 
Tilling buries the seeds too deep for them to sprout.
 
Just let them sit near the surface and they’ll do the rest.
 

So, How Do You Reseed Cilantro?

You reseed cilantro by letting a few plants bolt, collecting or dropping their seeds, and scattering them over moist soil in cool weather.
 
Cilantro reseeds itself easily, so once you get the hang of it, you’ll never need to buy seeds again.
 
The key is to stop fighting the bolt and start using it to your advantage.
 
Let a couple of plants go to seed, keep the soil moist, and you’ll have fresh cilantro coming back season after season.
 
Happy growing.