When To Harvest Fresh Cilantro

You can harvest fresh cilantro about 45 to 70 days after planting, once the stems and leaves are big enough to use—but timing depends on what you actually want from the plant.
 
Cilantro is one of those herbs that rewards you for paying attention.
 
If you pick it at the right moment, you’ll get mild, citrusy leaves for weeks.
 
If you wait too long, though, the plant bolts and the leaves turn bitter while the stems shoot up to make seeds.
 
So when exactly should you harvest fresh cilantro for the best flavor?
 
In this post, we will take a closer look at when to harvest fresh cilantro, how to harvest fresh cilantro without killing the plant, and the signs that tell you it’s time to grab your scissors.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

When to Harvest Fresh Cilantro

Knowing when to harvest fresh cilantro comes down to three simple things: plant size, leaf production, and whether flowers are forming.
 
Here’s how to read the signs.

1. Wait Until the Plant Is 6 to 8 Inches Tall

Fresh cilantro is ready for its first harvest when the plant reaches about 6 to 8 inches in height.
 
At this stage, the stems are strong enough to recover, and the plant has enough leaves to keep growing after you cut.
 
If you harvest fresh cilantro too early, you’ll stunt its growth and end up with a weak, spindly plant.
 

2. Check the Leaves and Stems

The best fresh cilantro leaves are bright green, flat, and tender.
 
If the leaves look lacy and fern-like, that’s a sign the plant is already bolting.
 
Those lacy leaves are still usable, but the flavor turns sharper and more bitter fast.
 
So when you’re wondering when to harvest fresh cilantro, look for that first set of broad, vibrant leaves before the plant changes shape.
 
You can also start snipping fresh cilantro leaves as soon as they’re large enough to pinch between your fingers.
 

3. Watch for Bolting

Cilantro bolts quickly in warm weather, often within a few weeks of sprouting.
 
You’ll see a tall stem shoot up from the center with tiny white flowers on top.
 
Once that happens, the plant stops focusing on leaves and starts making seeds (coriander).
 
If you want fresh cilantro leaves, harvest before this flower stalk appears.
 
If you want coriander seeds, let it bolt and harvest the seeds later.
 

4. Harvest in the Morning

The time of day matters more than most people realize.
 
The best time to harvest fresh cilantro is early morning, before the heat of the day hits.
 
That’s when the leaves are crisp and the essential oils that give cilantro its flavor are most concentrated.
 
Harvesting fresh cilantro at noon on a hot day gives you limp, less flavorful leaves.
 

How to Harvest Fresh Cilantro the Right Way

Now that you know when to harvest fresh cilantro, here’s how to actually do it without hurting the plant.
 

1. Snip From the Outside In

Always cut the outer stems first.
 
This is how you harvest fresh cilantro so the plant keeps producing from the center.
 
Never cut the whole plant down to the ground unless you’re done with it for the season.
 

2. Cut Above the Growing Point

Use clean scissors or shears and cut the stem about an inch above the soil line.
 
When you harvest fresh cilantro this way, the plant sends up new growth from the base.
 
You can typically harvest fresh cilantro every two to three weeks using this method.
 

3. Leave the Inner Leaves Alone

The small inner leaves are your next harvest.
 
If you strip them too, the plant has nothing left to work with.
 
So when you harvest fresh cilantro, take only what you need for the next meal or two.
 

4. Don’t Wash Until You’re Ready to Use It

Moisture speeds up spoilage.
 
Harvest fresh cilantro with dry leaves, then rinse right before cooking.
 
Store the stems in a jar of water or wrap them in a damp paper towel inside a bag.
 

What Happens If You Harvest Fresh Cilantro Too Late

Timing is everything with this herb.
 
If you harvest fresh cilantro after it bolts, the leaves taste soapy and bitter rather than fresh and citrusy.
 
The stems also turn woody and tough.
 
At that point, you’re better off letting the plant go to seed and collecting coriander instead.
 
The good news is that cilantro grows fast from seed, so you can replant every few weeks for a continuous supply.
 
That’s actually the trick most gardeners use so they always have fresh cilantro ready to harvest.
 

So, When to Harvest Fresh Cilantro?

You should harvest fresh cilantro when the plant is 6 to 8 inches tall and the leaves are broad, bright green, and free of flower stalks.
 
The best time to harvest fresh cilantro is in the morning, cutting the outer stems about an inch above the soil.
 
This keeps the plant producing and lets you harvest fresh cilantro again and again.
 
Wait too long and the plant bolts, turning your fresh cilantro bitter.
 
Harvest on time and you’ll enjoy that bright, citrusy flavor all season long.