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Will cilantro grow back after cutting? Yes, but only for a cutting or two, and only if you cut it the right way and before the plant bolts. Cilantro is a staple herb in kitchens around the world, so it helps to know how to keep a plant producing. This guide shows how to cut cilantro for regrowth, and what to do when it stops.
Short Answer: Will Cilantro Grow Back After Cutting?
Yes, for a cutting or two. Cut the outer stems and leave the center growing, and the plant keeps producing leaves. Cut the whole plant to about an inch above the ground, and it can regrow once, but this weakens it. Cilantro is a short-lived annual, so hot weather or flowering will end the regrowth no matter how carefully you cut.
Coriander and Cilantro: The Same Plant
Cilantro and coriander are two names for the same plant. In the US, cilantro usually means the fresh leaves and coriander means the dried seeds. In the UK, coriander often covers both. For more on growing it from seed, see our guide on how to grow coriander (cilantro).
When Will Cilantro Be Ready for Cutting?
Start picking when the plant is about 6 inches tall and has several sets of leaves, usually around four weeks after it sprouts. Pick before the plant flowers. Once it flowers, the leaves turn tough and bitter.
How to Cut Cilantro So It Grows Back
- Use clean, sharp scissors. A clean cut heals faster than a torn one.
- Choose the outer stems. Leave the center of the plant to keep growing.
- Cut just above a leaf node. This is where new growth comes out. Leave some lower leaves on the plant so it can keep making energy.
- Take no more than about a third of the plant at a time. Taking more stresses the plant and slows regrowth.
For a second cutting, you can cut the whole plant to about an inch above the ground and let it regrow, as the University of Wisconsin Extension describes. Do this once, early in the season, while the weather is still cool.
What If I Cut Cilantro Down to the Base?
If you cut a cilantro plant down to the soil, it is unlikely to regrow, because you have removed the leaves it needs to make energy. The safer limit is about an inch above the ground, and only once, early in the season. If you cut it down and nothing comes back, the plant was probably too young, too stressed by heat, or already close to bolting. In that case, sow a fresh batch rather than waiting.
Why Cilantro Stops Growing Back
- Heat and long days. Cilantro is a cool-season plant, and hot weather makes it bolt. Bolting means it sends up a flower stalk and stops making good leaves. Once it starts, you can’t reverse it.
- Cutting too much. Taking more than a third at a time, or cutting too low, can stop regrowth.
- Age. A cilantro plant usually lasts only a few months.
Regular picking keeps the plant bushy, but it can’t stop bolting. Afternoon shade, mulch, steady watering and slow-bolt varieties help. The most reliable fix is to sow a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks during the cool season, so you always have young plants coming on.
What to Do When Cilantro Bolts
Don’t pull it up too soon. Let the plant flower and go to seed, then collect the seeds, which are coriander. Cut the seed heads once they turn light brown, dry them in a paper bag, then shake the bag to release the seeds. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
How to Store Cut Cilantro
Rinse the cilantro in cool water and dry it well. Wrap it in a damp paper towel and place it in an airtight container, or stand the stems in a jar of water in the refrigerator. Fresh cilantro keeps in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze or dry it for later use.
Before You Go – Will Cilantro Grow Back After Cutting?
Cilantro will grow back after cutting, but only for a short time. Cut the outer stems just above a leaf node, take no more than a third, and plant a new batch every few weeks. When a plant bolts, let it set seed and collect the coriander.
References – Will Cilantro Grow Back After Cutting?
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, by James A. Duke, Pub. CRP Second Edition 2007
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Published by Dorling Kindersley
Sources
- University of Wisconsin Extension, Cilantro / Coriander: extension.wisc.edu
- UF/IFAS Extension (Hardee County), “Growing Fresh Cilantro in Your Garden or Small Farm”: ifas.ufl.edu
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Frequently Asked Questions – Will Cilantro Grow Back After Cutting?
How should I cut cilantro to encourage regrowth?
Cut the outer stems just above a leaf node and leave the center to keep growing. Take no more than about a third of the plant at a time. Cutting too close to the ground can stop regrowth.
How long does a cilantro plant live?
Cilantro is a fast-growing annual that usually lasts a few months. Once the weather gets hot, it bolts and goes to seed, which ends its life. Plant in early spring or fall to get the most from it.
How do I harvest cilantro without damaging the plant?
Use sharp, clean scissors and cut the outer stems, leaving the center and some lower leaves in place. Don’t take more than a third at once.
How do I collect cilantro seeds after it bolts?
Cut the seed heads when they turn light brown. Place them in a paper bag to dry, then shake the bag to release the seeds. Store the seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
How can I stop cilantro from bolting early?
Keep the plant cool and the soil moist. Plant in early spring or fall, give afternoon shade, mulch, and sow a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks. Regular picking can’t stop bolting.
Can I grow cilantro from cuttings?
No. Cilantro is grown from seed. Sow seeds in well-draining soil and keep them moist until they sprout, or collect seeds from a mature plant.