When To Pick Cilantro Plants

The best time to pick cilantro plants is when the leaves are mature and the plant stands about 6 to 8 inches tall.
 
If you’ve been wondering when to pick cilantro plants so you get the most flavor out of every leaf, timing really is everything.
 
Pick too early and you’ll barely get a handful, but wait too long and the flavor turns bitter as the plant bolts.
 
Cilantro is a fast grower, and knowing when to pick cilantro plants makes the difference between a weak harvest and a kitchen full of fresh herbs.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly when to pick cilantro plants, how to harvest them the right way, and how to keep your cilantro producing tasty leaves for as long as possible.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

When to Pick Cilantro Plants

Knowing when to pick cilantro plants comes down to watching the plant, not just the calendar.
 
You can pick cilantro plants once they’ve grown several sets of true leaves, usually around three to four weeks after planting.
 
Here are the key signs it’s time to start harvesting.
 

1. Wait for 6 to 8 Inches of Growth

When your cilantro plants reach about 6 to 8 inches tall, that’s your green light.
 
At this height, you can pick cilantro plants and get a decent amount of flavorful leaves without harming the plant.
 
Harvesting a little at this stage actually encourages bushier growth.
 
And that means more leaves for you to pick cilantro plants from later on.
 

2. Pick Before the Plant Bolts

The number one rule for when to pick cilantro plants is to harvest before they bolt.
 
Bolting is when cilantro sends up a tall flower stalk, and once that happens, the leaves turn bitter and lose their fresh taste.
 
You’ll notice bolting when you see lacy, fern-like leaves appearing near the top.
 
Once you spot a flower stalk forming, pick your cilantro plants right away.
 
If you’re not sure, pick cilantro plants early rather than late.
 

3. Pick in the Cooler Parts of the Day

Another thing to keep in mind about when to pick cilantro plants is the time of day.
 
Early morning is the best time to pick cilantro plants because the leaves are crisp and full of moisture.
 
If you can’t harvest in the morning, late evening works well too.
 
Avoid picking cilantro plants during the hottest part of the afternoon when the leaves are stressed and wilted.
 

How to Pick Cilantro Plants the Right Way

Once you know when to pick cilantro plants, the next step is picking them correctly so they keep coming back.
 
Here’s how to do it.
 

1. Snip From the Outside In

When you pick cilantro plants, always take the outer stems first.
 
These are the oldest and most mature leaves, and removing them lets the younger inner stems get more light.
 
Grab a clean pair of scissors or sharp snips and cut about an inch above the soil line.
 
This is the best way to pick cilantro plants so they keep producing.
 

2. Never Take More Than a Third

When you pick cilantro plants, only harvest up to one third of the plant at a time.
 
If you take more, the plant can struggle to recover, especially in hot weather.
 
Give your cilantro about a week to bounce back before you pick cilantro plants again.
 
This keeps your plant healthy and productive for weeks.
 

3. Pinch Off Flower Buds

If you want to extend the season, pinch off any flower buds as soon as you see them.
 
This delays bolting and gives you more time to pick cilantro plants at their best.
 
It’s a simple trick that helps you keep picking cilantro plants longer than you normally would.
 
Once the plant finally bolts, you can still use the seeds, which are coriander.
 

Tips to Keep Picking Cilantro Plants Longer

If you want a steady supply, there are a few tricks to keep in mind about when to pick cilantro plants and how to keep them going.
 
Here’s what works.
 

1. Plant Successively

Cilantro bolts quickly in warm weather, so the smartest move is to sow seeds every two to three weeks.
 
That way, when one batch starts to bolt, another is ready to pick cilantro plants from.
 
This succession planting keeps you in fresh cilantro all season long.
 

2. Give Them Shade in the Afternoon

Cilantro prefers cooler temperatures, so a little afternoon shade helps slow bolting.
 
When plants stay cool, you get a longer window to pick cilantro plants before they turn bitter.
 

3. Water Consistently

Dry soil stresses cilantro and pushes it to bolt faster.
 
Keep the soil evenly moist so you can pick cilantro plants over a longer stretch.
 
A stressed plant bolts early, and that slashes your harvest.
 

4. Harvest Often

The more often you pick cilantro plants, the more the plant keeps producing fresh leaves.
 
Regular picking actually signals the plant to keep growing instead of going to seed.
 
So don’t hold back, pick cilantro plants whenever you need a handful.
 

So, When to Pick Cilantro Plants?

You should pick cilantro plants when they reach about 6 to 8 inches tall and before they bolt.
 
Picking cilantro plants early in the day, from the outside in, keeps the leaves fresh and the plant productive.
 
The key is to harvest before the plant sends up a flower stalk, because once it bolts, the leaves turn bitter.
 
By watching for the right signs and following a few simple habits, you’ll always know when to pick cilantro plants.
 
Hope this post has helped you figure out exactly when to pick cilantro plants so you can enjoy fresh, flavorful leaves all season long.