How to Harvest Cilantro Without Killing the Plant — Gardening, Herbs, Plants, and Product Reviews (2024)

Cilantro is a delicious herb that can be used in many dishes. Growing cilantro is easy, but there is one catch: you have to harvest it correctly or you'll kill the plant. In this blog post, we will discuss how to harvest cilantro without killing the plant. We'll also provide tips on how to store cilantro so you can enjoy it for months!

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What is Cilantro?

Cilantro, a delicate green annual herb with long stems and feathery leaves similar in form to parsley is often found growing tall. It's often used in Mexican food and other dishes as well.

Cilantro is a member of the Apiaceae family, and it has characteristics in common with parsley, carrots, and dill. It actually comes from the plant Coriandrum sativum. There are two parts of the plant that can be used for cooking - the leaves and the seeds. The leaves of the plant are referred to as cilantro and the seeds are called coriander.

The cilantro leaf has a distinct flavor and smell. People either love or hate cilantro's unique flavor. Some people think that it tastes like soap!

There have even been studies done showing how some people have genetic variations that make cilantro leaves taste bad to them. If you're one of those people, there are other herbs to use instead like parsley or basil!

But hopefully, you are here because you love the taste of cilantro and want to learn how to harvest it correctly!

Growing Conditions That Can Effect Cilantro's Harvest

Knowing some of these important growing conditions can help you to be more successful at growing and harvesting herbs.

Cilantro can be a little fussy about its growing conditions. The first thing to keep in mind is the climate. Cilantro prefers cooler weather and is the perfect fall herb and will bolt (go to seed) if the temperature gets too hot. Although it likes to have full sun and will tolerate partial shade! It will tend to bolt faster in the summer months particularly when the temperature is over 80 degrees. The growing season for cilantro is early spring to late spring or in the fall. This will allow for a longer harvest period.

The other main condition that can affect your cilantro harvest is how much water it gets. It's important not to over-water cilantro or it will rot. But, you also don't want the soil to be too dry or the plant will wilt. You want well-draining soil.

Spreading a layer of mulch around your cilantro will help to prolong its life and time to harvest.

Cilantro is a short-lived plant, the plant goes to seed in about 2 months' time before it has to be replanted again. If you are hoping to get herbs for the entire summer and into the fall, you might want to consider cultivators such as 'Leisure', 'Slo Bolt', or 'Santo' which don't bolt to seed as quickly or do succession planting.

When to Harvest Cilantro

Cilantro is ready to harvest when it has tender green leaves and is about 6 inches tall. It takes anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks for your cilantro plants to mature and be ready to harvest, depending on the growing conditions.

How to Harvest Cilantro Without Killing the Plant

Now that you know a little bit about how to care for your cilantro plant, let's discuss how to harvest cilantro without killing the plant.

You can harvest cilantro frequently. In fact, harvesting cilantro frequently is a good thing because the more you harvest it from your plants, the longer they will produce leaves.

You can either harvest it in small amounts or in larger batches depending on your needs. Here are some tips based on which method you choose.

Harvesting Small Amounts of Cilantro

You can easily harvest small amounts of cilantro without killing the plant.

If you only need a few leaves, starting with the biggest, outer leaf is ideal because cilantro develops from the middle and produces branches that split off. If you want your plant to grow and be able to harvest continuously, you should make sure the center of the plant is not disturbed. That is where new growth will occur. Using scissors or your hands, cut the stems of these leaves just above the soil's surface leaving about an inch or more of the stem.

By harvesting only the outer leaves for immediate needs, your plants will be able to continue growing and producing cilantro.

Harvesting Large Amounts of Cilantro

While you can harvest small amounts of cilantro frequently, how do you go about harvesting large quantities at one time?

If you want to harvest a larger amount of cilantro, you want to make sure that you are not harming the plant or how it grows in order for it to last longer. Therefore, you never want to harvest more than 1/3 of the plant. This will keep your plant healthy and it should continue to grow.

When harvesting in greater quantities, remove the biggest leaves and stems from the plant while keeping it intact.

Tips for Storing Cilantro

Now that you harvested this beautiful bunch of cilantro, how do you store it so it lasts?

Storing Fresh Cilantro

Unfortunately, fresh cilantro doesn't last very long. It is best to use it immediately for the best flavor. But if you have some leftover, you can store it in the fridge for a few days to prolong its life.

To store fresh cilantro properly, make sure to cut off any roots so that they don't rot. Next, put your cilantro sprigs in water as you would for flowers and then cover them with plastic. Store it in the refrigerator. The water should be changed every few days to prevent bacteria from growing in the water which will cause your cilantro to spoil.

Freezing Cilantro

The best way to store cilantro is by freezing it. Simply wash and chop the leaves and place them in an ice cube tray. Once they are frozen, pop them out and place them in a ziplock bag or other freezer container. Make sure to label the contents and how much is in there because they will turn green, making it difficult to tell what is stored inside.

Drying Cilantro

If you don't want all of your fresh cilantro leaves to go bad before you can use them, you can preserve them by drying them. There are a couple of methods to do this. One is to tie the stems together and hang them in a warm, dry place out of direct light until they are completely dried.

The other way is to bake them in the oven at 350 for about 20-30 minutes. In order to bake them, you have to wash the cilantro leaves, pat them dry and cut off the stems and lay the leaves flat in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Once your cilantro is dried, you can store it in an airtight container for later use. It should last up to a year if stored this way.

Now that you know how to harvest cilantro without killing the plant, go ahead and give it a try!

RELATED: Growing Cilantro from Cuttings: A Step-by-Step Guide

FAQS About Harvesting Cilantro

How to know when cilantro is going to bolt?

There are some signs that cilantro is going to bolt that you will need to pay attention to. First, the leaves will start to get smaller and more delicate. Second, the plant itself may grow in height with fewer leaves on top of each other than before. Third, the stem of the cilantro plant will start to turn woody and the plant will start to grow white flowers.

If you see any of these signs, it means that it’s time to harvest all of the cilantro from your plants or to let it go to seed if you want coriander seeds instead.

How do you keep cilantro from going to seed?

If you want your cilantro plant to continually produce leaves, there are a few things that can help. First, make sure to plant cilantro in full sun and is getting at least six hours of direct light each day. Second, harvest it frequently so that it will continue producing new leaves. Third, keep the soil moist but not soaking wet at all times so that your plant has plenty of water to grow and thrive while avoiding root rot or other issues caused by too much moisture in the ground.

What are some ways to use cilantro?

Cilantro is a versatile herb that can be used in many different dishes. It goes well with Mexican, Indian and Asian cuisine. Some popular dishes that include cilantro are tacos, burritos, enchiladas, curries, and stir-fries. Cilantro also makes a great addition to salads, salsas, and guacamole.

Summing up Harvesting Cilantro

Now that you know how to harvest cilantro without killing the plant, it’s time to give planting cilantro a try! Be sure to pay attention to the signs that your cilantro is going to bolt so that you can harvest it before it goes to coriander seed. Also, remember that cilantro is a lovely fresh herb with a wide range of culinary possibilities. So go ahead and experiment with it in your kitchen!