How to and When to Cut Cilantro

Cilantro is also known as Coriander. Cilantro is the leaves, and Coriander is the dried and ground seeds of the same plant.

Things You'll Need

• scissors or garden shears

Instructions

1. Cilantro leaves can be harvested at any time, but it is best for the plant's health to wait until it is at least 6" tall.

2. Harvest the outer leaves first, leaving the smaller inner ones time to grow and mature.

   Use your scissors or garden shears to clip the leaves individually, close to the stalk. You will have leaves and tiny stems in each clipping.

3. Cilantro bolts very quickly in the heat, so keep a close eye on your plant. If you notice a stem beginning to shoot out in the center that looks like it might have buds on it, clip it away so that your plant will produce leaves longer.

   You should be able to get at least 3 or 4 harvests out of each cilantro plant.

4. 

   To harvest coriander, allow your cilantro plant to go to seed. Cut the whole plant (removing leaves for other use), tie a paper bag around the seed heads, and hang it upside down. As the plant dries, the seeds will fall into the paper bag.

   You can also use these seeds to replant your cilantro!