Cilantro Garden Plant

You can plant cilantro in the ground or in a pot. Growing and harvesting cilantro is fairly simple and rewarding! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you grow and harvest cilantro:

Chose the Right Spot

Location: Cilantro thrives in a sunny spot but can also tolerate partial shade. It needs about 4-6 hours of sunlight a day.

Soil: Cilantro prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Make sure the soil is loose and not too compacted.

Temperature: Cilantro grows best in cool weather, around 50-85°F. In hotter temperatures, cilantro tends to bolt (flower and go to seed) quickly.

Caring For Cilantro 

Watering: Cilantro needs consistent moisture, so water it regularly but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.

Fertilizing: Cilantro doesn’t require heavy fertilizing, but you can use a balanced, organic fertilizer if the soil seems poor in nutrients.

Mulching: Applying mulch around the base of the plant helps retain moisture and keeps the soil cool, which cilantro prefers.

Dealing with Bolting

If the plant starts to flower and bolt (which typically happens in warmer weather), the leaves can become bitter. To prevent this, try growing cilantro in cooler seasons or in shaded areas during hot months.

Bonus: Storing Cilantro

Fresh Leaves: If you have too much cilantro, you can store it in the fridge by wrapping the stems in a damp paper towel and placing them in a plastic bag or container. It usually lasts about a week.

Freezing: You can freeze cilantro by chopping the leaves and placing them in an ice cube tray with water or oil. It’ll retain its flavor for months!

How and When To Harvest Cilantro

For Leaves: Cilantro is ready to harvest when the plants have reached about 6-8 inches tall and have plenty of leafy growth. It usually takes around 3-4 weeks after planting.

Pick Outer Leaves First: Snip off the outer, mature leaves with scissors or garden shears, leaving the inner, younger leaves to continue growing. This encourages the plant to produce more leaves.

Cut at the Base: When harvesting leaves, cut the stems about 1 inch from the base of the plant. Make sure not to remove more than one-third of the plant at once, so it continues growing.

Harvest Regularly: To keep the cilantro producing fresh leaves, harvest regularly (every few days or once a week). Don’t wait until all the leaves are fully grown—cutting them early can keep the plant from bolting too soon.

Regrowth: Cilantro grows quickly, so after harvesting, new leaves will usually grow back in about 1-2 weeks. Keep the plant well-watered and in a sunny spot.

Harvest Early in the Day: For the best flavor and to prevent wilting, harvest cilantro in the morning when the leaves are still crisp and fresh.

Use Clean Tools: Make sure to use clean scissors or shears to avoid damaging the plant and to keep it healthy.

Happy growing and harvesting! Cilantro is a great herb to have on hand for cooking, and it’s easy to grow with just a little care.