Drescription

Cilantro is a cool-season herb with a brief but prolific growing and harvesting window. Sensitive to both heat and sunlight hours, it quickly bolts and goes to seed when exposed to too much of either.

Several methods exist for extending the harvest, one of which is to prune and harvest plants regularly. Find out how to keep cilantro growing, along with other tips on extending the season for this finicky herb.

When to Prune Cilantro

With most herbs, pruning equates to harvesting since you'll use leaves and stems you've removed. Once established, cilantro grows fairly rapidly and requires repeated pruning. Start heading back early when several stems reach 6 inches tall, removing 1 to 2 inches of top growth.

How quickly your plant grows depends on the variety, with conditions a major factor, so watch for signs of bolting. These include the appearance of small white flowers and the emergence of a tall, thick central stem with smaller, finer leaves.

Avoid working with wet leaves and stems by pruning between late morning and early evening.

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Why prune cilantro?

Pruning is essential for a successful cilantro crop. It encourages new and continued leafy growth, extends the life of the plant, and prevents early bolting or going to seed.

How to Prune Cilantro Without Killing the Plant

Cilantro stems grow from a central rosette, which becomes fuller and bushier with consistent pruning. It has a deep tap root and growth habit similar to parsley and carrots, but with a shorter season and a greater tendency to bolt. Keep a pair of sharp, sterile scissors or herb snippers handy and follow these steps to get the most from your cilantro plants.

Begin pruning when plants have produced several stems 6 inches tall, snipping out the top inch or two just above a leaf node.

As new stems emerge from the center of the plant, prune back the outermost stems to 4 to 6 inches in height.

Check plants at least once each week and continue to prune back growth around the outsides of the plant.

As plants become fuller and bushier, you can remove the outermost stems at the base to encourage more center growth.

Once spring temperatures start to rise above 65°F, look for flower buds forming at the tips of long stems and snip or pinch off stems below the bud.

Watch for a thick stalk to appear in the center. To extend the harvest, try cutting it out at the base.

Once temperatures exceed 70°F with more sun exposure, your cilantro will likely produce too many flowers for continued pruning. The thick center flower stalk indicates the plant is ready to bolt.

You can pull the plant or let it go to flower and seed. Cilantro flowers attract pollinators, and mature seeds are used as the spice coriander.

How to Prevent Cilantro Plants From Bolting

Keep the soil moist. Give plants an inch of water each week, but be careful not to overwater. Mature plants need less but thrive in soil that stays consistently moist.

Plant in part shade. Choose an area in the garden protected from hot afternoon sun.

Prune early and often. Keep plants trimmed to a rounded, uniform shape and remove flower buds.

Removethe central stem. Remove the thick central flowering stalk at the base.

Choose a heat-tolerant variety. Look for seeds labeled 'Slow Bolt' or 'Summer Cilantro.'

Grow in a pot. Consider growing cilantro in a container for better control of growing conditions.

Pruning Tips

Start pruning cilantro early in the season when several stems are 6 inches tall.

Prune often, at least once a week, during the growing season to prevent bolting.

Prune back stems by one-third around the outsides of the plant or remove them at the base to keep new leaves growing

Remove yellow and damaged leaves.

An herb snipper is a good tool for cutting back and removing small flowers. Cilantro leaves and stems are tender and bruise easily.