Cilantro, a popular culinary herb, often challenges home growers. The question of whether you can “replant” cilantro involves two distinct methods: propagating stems purchased from a store or successfully moving a young, rooted plant. Understanding the difference between these actions helps manage expectations for a continuous supply of this flavorful leaf.
Regrowing Cilantro From Cuttings
Many people attempt vegetative propagation by trying to regrow cilantro using stems bought from the grocery store. This process involves taking a healthy stem, removing the lower leaves, and placing the cut end in water or moist soil. New, fine white roots may sprout from the submerged stem within a week or two, giving the appearance of success.
However, the cutting was taken from a mature plant harvested at its peak. Even if roots form, the resulting growth is short-lived because the plant’s biological clock is nearing the end of its cycle. The cutting retains the maturity of the parent plant and is predisposed to shifting its energy away from leaf production.
The cutting may provide a small, temporary harvest of new leaves for a few weeks, but it will quickly move to the final stage of its life. The stem will soon elongate and begin flowering, marking the end of the plant’s usefulness for leaf harvest. This method temporarily extends the freshness of store-bought herbs, but it is not a reliable way to establish a new, long-term plant. For a sustainable supply, starting from seed remains the most dependable option.
Transplanting Established Seedlings and Plants
The second form of replanting involves successfully moving a young cilantro plant, whether started from seed or purchased from a nursery. Cilantro is sensitive to root disturbance, so minimizing trauma to the root ball is the primary focus during this transition. Before moving the plant, thoroughly water the soil in the current container to help the roots and surrounding soil stick together.
When moving the plant, the goal is to keep the root ball intact and avoid separating the fragile, fibrous roots from the soil. Gently push or lift the plant from its original container, using care to handle the plant only by its leaves or the edges of the root ball, not the central stem. The new planting site should be prepared with a hole slightly wider than the root ball.
The top of the root mass should be set level with the surrounding soil surface, and the hole should be backfilled carefully. Immediate and thorough watering helps settle the soil around the roots and eliminates air pockets, which are detrimental to root recovery. Providing consistent moisture for the following week aids in minimizing transplant shock and allows the plant to establish itself.
Understanding Cilantro’s Short Lifespan
The inherent challenge in maintaining a continuous cilantro harvest, regardless of the replanting method, is rooted in the plant’s biology as a true annual herb. Cilantro’s natural life cycle is designed to quickly progress from leafy growth to reproduction, ultimately producing seeds, known as coriander. This rapid transition is called “bolting.”
Bolting is triggered by environmental cues that signal the end of the growing season, primarily temperature and day length. Once temperatures consistently rise above approximately 70°F, or as days lengthen in late spring and early summer, the plant initiates a hormonal change. This causes the central stem to shoot up rapidly, producing flowers and seeds, which halts the production of desirable, flat leaves.
Once the plant bolts, the flavor of the remaining leaves often becomes bitter or soapy, and the plant’s energy is devoted to seed development. To delay this process, growers can utilize techniques like “succession planting,” which involves sowing new seeds every few weeks to ensure a rotating supply of young, leafy plants. Planting cilantro in a location that receives afternoon shade can also help moderate soil and air temperatures, extending the pre-bolting period.