How to Prune Cilantro

The cilantro plant does not live long after you plant it in the garden. Cilantro herbs are commonly added to culinary dishes such as salads and soups. The seeds of the cilantro plant are referred to as coriander, and they are crushed and added to culinary dishes as well. Cilantro grows best in cooler weather with well-drained soil and adequate sunlight. Pruning the cilantro plant properly allows you to harvest fresh leaves whenever you need them. Once you plant cilantro seeds, they are ready to harvest within 45 to 70 days.

Things You'll Need

Sharp scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Remove all dead, discolored and diseased foliage from the cilantro plant with sharp scissors. Removing the foliage helps the herb to focus on new growth.
- 2
  Remove the flowers from the cilantro when you notice them blooming. Removing the flowers ensures that the cilantro plant continues to produce new leaves and prevents the plant from forming seeds. Once the plant forms seeds, it will begin to die.
- 3
  Trim the cilantro plant in the spring or summer. Allow the stems to reach 4 to 6 inches in height. Cut back the plant only when you need to use the harvested leaves. Trim each harvested shoot to the ground.
- 4
  Allow the plant to reach 4 to 6 inches again before you harvest it. After you harvest the cilantro plant the second time, it will begin to stop growing when the outdoor temperature becomes too hot for the plant.

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