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Saving cilantro seeds for next year is one of the easiest and most rewarding garden projects you can take on.
It’s a simple process that lets you grow fresh cilantro again without spending a dime on new seeds.
If you’ve ever wondered how to save cilantro seeds for next year, the good news is that it takes very little effort and yields plenty of seeds for future plantings.
Cilantro is an annual herb, which means it completes its whole life cycle in a single growing season.
That’s actually great news for seed savers because it means the plant naturally produces seeds before it dies back.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to save cilantro seeds for next year, when to harvest them, and how to store them so they stay viable until planting time.
Let’s dig in.
How to Save Cilantro Seeds for Next Year
Learning how to save cilantro seeds for next year starts with letting your plants bolt, which is just a fancy word for going to seed.
Here’s what the process looks like from start to finish.
1. Let Your Cilantro Bolt
If you want to save cilantro seeds for next year, you have to let at least a few plants flower instead of harvesting all the leaves.
When cilantro bolts, it sends up a tall stalk with delicate white or pinkish flowers.
Those flowers eventually turn into seed heads, and that’s where your future cilantro crop comes from.
Don’t fight the bolting process, embrace it.
The leaves may turn bitter once the plant bolts, but the seeds are absolutely worth it.
2. Let the Seeds Mature on the Plant
Once the flowers fade, small green seeds will start to form in clusters at the top of the plant.
These green seeds are actually edible and taste citrusy, but if you want to save cilantro seeds for next year, you need to let them mature fully.
The seeds will gradually turn from green to light brown as they ripen.
This color change is your signal that the seeds are getting close to ready.
Be patient here, because seeds harvested too early often won’t germinate well.
3. Watch for the Right Harvest Time
Timing is everything when you’re saving cilantro seeds for next year.
You want to harvest when most of the seeds on the plant have turned brown but before they start falling off on their own.
If you wait too long, you’ll walk outside one day and find your seeds scattered on the ground.
If you harvest too early, the seeds won’t be fully mature and may not sprout next season.
A good rule of thumb is to check your plants every couple of days once the seeds begin changing color.
4. Use the Paper Bag Method
One of the easiest ways to save cilantro seeds for next year is the paper bag method.
Simply bend the seed heads into a paper bag and snip them off with scissors.
The bag catches any seeds that fall loose during cutting, so you don’t lose them.
Leave the bag open in a dry, warm spot for about a week or two so the seeds can finish drying.
This method works especially well if your seeds aren’t quite fully brown yet.
How to Dry and Store Cilantro Seeds
Once you’ve harvested your seeds, the next step in how to save cilantro seeds for next year is drying and storing them properly.
1. Dry the Seeds Thoroughly
Spread your harvested cilantro seeds out in a single layer on a paper towel, plate, or screen.
Let them air dry in a cool, dry place for one to two weeks.
They’re ready when they feel completely dry and brittle, not soft or moist at all.
Any leftover moisture can cause mold during storage, which will ruin your seeds.
2. Separate the Seeds from the Chaff
After drying, you’ll notice the seeds are mixed with bits of dried stems and flower parts.
To clean them, gently rub the seed heads between your fingers over a bowl.
The seeds will fall away from the chaff, making it easy to separate them.
You can also winnow them by gently blowing on the mixture so the lighter chaff blows away while the heavier seeds stay put.
3. Store in an Airtight Container
When you save cilantro seeds for next year, proper storage makes all the difference.
Place your dried seeds in a small paper envelope, glass jar, or airtight container.
Label it with the date and the variety so you know exactly what you’re planting later.
Store the container in a cool, dark, and dry place like a pantry or cupboard.
4. Keep Them Away from Heat and Moisture
Heat and humidity are the two biggest enemies of stored cilantro seeds.
Avoid storing them near stoves, windows, or damp basements.
If you live in a humid climate, consider adding a small silica gel packet to the container.
Stored correctly, your cilantro seeds will stay viable for two to three years.
Tips for Success When You Save Cilantro Seeds
A few extra tips can make saving cilantro seeds for next year even easier.
1. Save Seeds from Your Best Plants
Choose the healthiest, slowest-bolting cilantro plants to save seeds from.
This helps you breed stronger plants over time.
2. Label Everything
Write the variety name and harvest date on your storage container.
Future you will thank present you for this small step.
3. Test Germination Before Planting
Before planting your saved cilantro seeds next year, do a quick germination test.
Place a few seeds between damp paper towels and wait a week.
If they sprout, you’re good to go.
So, How Do You Save Cilantro Seeds for Next Year?
You save cilantro seeds for next year by letting your plants bolt, allowing the seeds to mature on the plant, harvesting them at the right time, and drying and storing them properly.
It’s a simple process that anyone can do, even if you’re a beginner gardener.
Once you know how to save cilantro seeds for next year, you’ll never need to buy cilantro seeds again.
Give it a try this season and enjoy fresh cilantro straight from your garden next spring.