How To Cut Cilantro Without Killing The Plant [6 Tips For Harvesting]

Would you like to grow cilantro? If so, you know that it’s a great way to add fresh flavor to all kinds of dishes. But if you’ve ever tried harvesting more than a few leaves at once, you know that it can be tricky to keep the plant alive and growing after the harvest.

How To Cut Cilantro Without Killing The Plant

Today, I’m going to give you all the tips and tricks to successfully harvest cilantro without killing the plant. We’ll discuss why it’s important to use non-destructive harvesting methods, and then I show you what to do—and not do—when taking your cilantro from the ground or a pot.

By the time we’re done, you’ll have all the tools and confidence you need to reap your cilantro without fear of killing the plant in the process.

Why can repeatedly cutting cilantro damage the plant?

Do you know that feeling when a plant can’t quite seem to grow big and lush? Well, that might be because of repeated cutting of the same plant. The leaves of the plant are referred to as cilantro and the cilantro seeds are called coriander seeds.

When it comes to cilantro plants, this is especially important; too much harvesting can reduce the number of leaves that are produced.

The secret lies in how to harvest cilantro without killing it.

Rather than taking off all of the leaves at once, snip off smaller portions to help it keep growing. This will encourage the coriander plant to branch out and become more robust, meaning more leaves for you in no time! Be sure to cut above a leaf node, which looks like a little bump on the stem.

Furthermore, harvest cilantro during cooler months when it’s not too hot and dry; excessive heat can damage the delicate herb’s leaves and make them coarse in texture. By following these simple steps for proper cutting, you’ll soon be able to grow your own fresh cilantro without killing the plant!

The right way to cut cilantro for maximum regrowth

If you think snipping a few leaves off your cilantro plant is enough to keep it coming back – think again! While it may feel like you’re not doing much damage, you need to harvest cilantro without killing the plant as well as in a way that maximizes regrowth.

So what’s the right way to cut cilantro? First, grab a pair of kitchen scissors or garden shears, and make sure they are clean and sharp.

This ensures that your cilantro doesn’t become too leggy and encourages new branch growth from the base. Always remember to keep the soil moist but not soaking wet at all times.

To determine when it’s time for a good harvest, look for stems with at least four sets of leaves. That’s when you know that your cilantro is ready to be cut without killing the plant itself.

Choose this time for harvesting and your fresh cilantro leaves always grow back stronger than ever!

How to Prune Cilantro?

Cilantro grows in rosettes, with tender leaves forming near the center. As the plant matures, it sends up flower stalks that eventually develop into coriander seeds. The leaves are most flavorful when harvested before the plant bolts and produces flowers. Proper pruning helps delay bolting and encourages a prolonged leafy phase.

When to Prune Cilantro

Pruning too early or too late can affect both the flavor and yield. Aim to prune cilantro when it reaches about 6 inches in height:

First Pruning: Once the cilantro seedlings have grown their first true leaves and reached 6 inches in height, initiate the first pruning session.
Subsequent Pruning: Perform subsequent prunings every 2-3 weeks to encourage continuous leaf growth and prevent early bolting.

Step-by-Step Pruning Process

Identify Leaf Nodes: Look for the points where leaves emerge from the main stem. These are known as leaf nodes.
Selective Pruning: Using pruning shears, snip off the oldest leaves at the outer edges, leaving the younger leaves near the center untouched.
Cutting Angle: Make a clean cut at a slight angle, approximately ¼ inch above a leaf node. This promotes new growth and prevents damage to the stem.
Flower Removal: If you notice flower buds forming, remove them promptly. This prevents energy from being diverted to seed production, prolonging the leafy phase.
Regular Maintenance: Repeat the pruning process every few weeks to encourage fresh growth and extend the harvest period.

Pruning Techniques for Different Growth Phases

Cilantro goes through distinct growth phases, each requiring specific pruning techniques:

1. Early Growth Phase
   During the initial growth phase, focus on:

Pinching: Gently pinch off the top portion of the main stem. This encourages lateral branching and a bushier growth habit.

2. Leafy Growth Phase
   As cilantro enters its leafy phase:

Selective Pruning: Trim mature outer leaves, allowing younger leaves to thrive.

3. Bolting Prevention Phase
   To prevent premature bolting:

Harvest Flower Buds: Regularly remove flower buds as soon as they appear.

Where to cut cilantro stems for the most growth?

You’re probably wondering where to cut cilantro for the most growth, right? When harvesting cilantro leaves, you want to make sure that you’re taking only the outer leaves while leaving at least two leaves on the stem to give it a chance to regrow.

To do this, take nice sharp garden scissors or garden snips and cut right above the second set of leaves on each stem.

This is where you’ll get the most outgrowth — as long as you keep it trimmed regularly, you should see your cilantro leaves regrow multiple times during the season.

Here are some tips:

• Cut off only what you need at a time — don’t take too much from your plant or it won’t be able to regrow properly and ensures that you can harvest cilantro without killing the plant.
• Make sure the scissors are clean before cutting — dirty scissors can cause bacteria and fungus to spread from one plant to another.
• When cutting, do it in one swift motion — multiple cuts in one area can cause damage and reduce growth potential.
• Use separate scissors for harvesting if possible — some plants might be infected with the disease and you don’t want that spreading root rot to other plants.

How often can you harvest cilantro?

You may be surprised to learn that, when it comes to harvesting and storing fresh cilantro leaves yourself, you don’t need to be so careful about how much you take.

The key is knowing when and how often to harvest it, as this determines how quickly the cilantro leaf will regrow.

Frequency of cilantro harvesting

Most varieties of cilantro have a natural tendency to blossom if left unharvested for too long, with the blossom eventually leading to the plant going to seed.

Luckily, you can avoid this by ensuring that you harvest fresh cilantro once every two weeks or so. This way, the cilantro continues to grow healthy and strong while providing a consistent supply of fresh leaves.

The right moment

Knowing when to harvest cilantro is just as important as knowing how much.

To identify when your cilantro is ready for harvesting, look out for two things:

1. The young stems should start developing hollow nodes — they become easier to break in these stages.
2. The leaves should have fully developed before being harvested — this ensures you get maximum flavor from the cuttings!

When harvesting cilantro, always make sure that you don’t take more than one-third of the plant at any given time.

Cilantro growing tips to encourage fast regrowth

If you’re looking to harvest cilantro without killing the plant, there are several tips you can use to ensure that the cilantro comes back fast and strong.

Maintain the health of your cilantro

Ensure that your cilantro is growing in a sunny area and gets plenty of water. Applying an all-purpose fertilizer can help give it the boost it needs to continue growing.

Know when to cut

You also want to make sure you’re harvesting cilantro at the right time, as cutting off too much of the stem all at once can stunt its growth.

Don’t forget to prune

Once you’ve cut off what you need from your cilantro plant, remember to prune your cilantro regularly.

Pruning helps keep the plant healthy by removing dead or diseased pieces and preventing overcrowding by removing excess stems and foliage.

What to do with your harvested cilantro?

Isn’t it awesome that you can keep growing cilantro season after season, with only minimal effort? It’s like having a never-ending supply of this flavorful herb!

So, what do you do once you’ve harvested your cilantro? Well, to ensure that your plant continues to grow, it’s a good idea to cut off the cilantro flowers.

This helps to prevent the plant from cilantro bolts and going to coriander seed.

You can also harvest cilantro in sections so that the existing leaves continue to produce for a longer period.

Always remember to plant your cilantro during the cold season. Planting it during the summer season makes the cilantro leaves taste bitter.

In terms of preserving your cilantro for storage, there are several options. You could chop it and freeze it as cubes or leaves; dehydrate it; or put it in an airtight container with some water and refrigerate it.

You can also make cilantro pesto or other recipes if you don’t plan on using all the herbs at once – this way, none of the delicious plant cilantro goes to waste!

How to store cilantro?

Do you ever get cilantro that’s too much to use all at once? No problem — you can store it and have it fresh when you need it.

• Drying cilantro

If you want to go the traditional route, put the dried cilantro up in a damp paper towel, wrap it in plastic, and put it in your fridge — it’ll last 7-10 days this way. But if you want your cilantro to last, there’s a better solution.

The other way is to bake them in the oven at 350 for about 20-30 minutes. 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.

• Cutting back

This one might sound counterintuitive, but it works: cut the top off of the plant and store it like that. The stems of cilantro are rich with moisture, so by cutting off the top of the plant and storing it upside down in a glass with just enough water to cover the stem, your cilantro stays fresher for longer. This method is good for storing cilantro for up to two weeks!

• Water for best results

For even better results, add high-quality water to your storage container. The trick here is don’t overfill — your cilantro sprigs should be half submerged at most while they sit in the glass.

If it is too much work for you, you can also always freeze cilantro in an ice cube tray.

Now you know how to store your cilantro plant leaves so that you can maximize their shelf life and have a full-store fresh cilantro supply whenever you need it!

Conclusion

In conclusion, cutting and planting cilantro in the right way and still having it come back can be very beneficial for anyone who loves having cilantro in their cooking.

When done correctly, you can harvest cilantro many times without needing to replant and even better, get a higher yield with fewer plants.

When learning how to cut cilantro, practice patience and don’t be too hard on yourself if it doesn’t work out right away.

With consistent practice and dedication, you can master the art of cilantro cutting and reap the benefits of a non-destructive cilantro harvest.

FAQ

We’ve gone through all the tips and tricks about how to harvest cilantro without killing the plant. Now, let’s address a few frequently asked questions about the process of growing cilantro.