If you’re growing cilantro in your garden, here’s a quick tip you don’t want to miss: cut it before it gets too hot!
Cilantro is a cool-weather herb that grows fast, but it also bolts fast—especially when temperatures start to climb. And once it bolts (sends up a flower stalk), it gets bitter and loses that fresh, zesty flavor we love in salsa, salads, and tacos.
Why Cilantro Bolts
Cilantro is sensitive to rising temperatures and longer daylight hours. When it starts to feel the heat, it thinks it’s time to reproduce and sends out flowers—ending its tasty leaf production.
How to Stay Ahead of the Heat
Here’s how you can keep your cilantro fresh and flavorful longer:
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Harvest early and often. Don’t wait for tall, leggy growth. Cut it when it’s about 4–6 inches tall.
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Cut low, but not too low. Leave about an inch or two of stem so it can regrow.
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Provide some shade. If it’s already warming up in your area, give your cilantro a little afternoon shade.
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Succession planting. If you love cilantro, plant a new batch every few weeks in spring and fall.
If your cilantro does bolt—don’t toss it just yet. Let it flower and go to seed. You’ll get coriander seeds and possibly some self-seeded cilantro in the fall!
