How Tall Does Cilantro Grow

If you’re planning your herb garden, you might be wondering how tall does cilantro grow. Knowing the maximum height of cilantro helps you place it correctly among your other plants. This leafy herb, also called coriander, has a specific growth pattern that can surprise new gardeners.

It grows quickly but doesn’t stick around for long in most conditions. Understanding its height and life cycle is key to getting the most from your harvest. Let’s look at what you can expect from this popular but sometimes tricky herb.

Cilantro typically reaches a mature height of 12 to 24 inches tall. Its maximum height is generally around 24 inches, or two feet, under ideal growing conditions. However, several factors can make it shorter or, occasionally, even a bit taller.

The height is measured from the soil to the top of the leafy growth before it flowers. Once it starts to bolt, or send up a flower stalk, it can gain another 6 to 12 inches in height. But at that stage, the leaf flavor changes and becomes less desirable for culinary use.

Factors That Influence Cilantro Plant Height

Not every cilantro plant will hit that two-foot mark. Here’s what affects how tall your plants will get:

Variety: Some cultivars are bred to be more compact. ‘Santo’ is a popular, slower-bolting type that often stays around 12-18 inches. ‘Leisure’ and ‘Calypso’ are also known for staying a bit shorter and bushier.
Sunlight: Cilantro prefers full sun to light shade. In too much deep shade, it will become leggy and weak, stretching thin without reaching a robust height. In intense, all-day summer sun, it may bolt to seed very quickly, cutting its leafy growth phase short.
Temperature: This is the biggest driver. Cilantro is a cool-season herb. It thrives in temperatures between 50°F and 85°F. Prolonged heat above 85°F triggers bolting, stopping leaf production and sending up a tall flower stalk prematurely.
Soil Quality & Water: Rich, well-draining soil that’s kept consistently moist supports healthy, full growth. Stress from drought or poor soil will stunt the plant, keeping it much shorter than its potential.
Spacing: Plants spaced too closely will compete for light and nutrients. Give them about 6 to 8 inches apart so each one can develop into a full, rounded plant.

The Growth Stages of Cilantro

Cilantro’s height changes dramatically through its life cycle. Knowing these stages helps you manage your harvest.

1. Seedling Stage (0-3 inches)

After germination, the first two slender seed leaves (cotyledons) appear, followed by the first true, fern-like leaves. Plants are just a few inches tall at this vulnerable stage.

2. Vegetative/Rosette Stage (4-24 inches)

This is the main harvest period. The plant forms a low, bushy clump of stems and leaves close to the ground. It reaches its maximum leafy height here, usually capping at that 24-inch mark. This is when the flavor is best.

3. Bolting and Flowering Stage (Up to 36 inches)

When days get longer and hotter, the plant shifts its energy. A central flower stalk shoots up rapidly, often adding significant height. A bolting plant can reach 30 to 36 inches tall. The leaves become sparse and feathery (called cilantro tendrils).

4. Seeding Stage (Height Stabilizes)

Once the small white or pinkish flowers are pollinated, they produce green coriander seeds. The stalk may lean under the weight. The plant’s final height is set, and it will begin to senesce (die back) after seeds mature.

How to Manage Cilantro Height for Better Harvests

Your goal is usually to keep it in the leafy, vegetative stage for as long as possible. Here’s how to manage growth and delay bolting.

Choose the Right Time to Plant. Sow seeds directly in early spring, 2-4 weeks before the last frost. For a fall crop, plant in late summer when temperatures begin to cool. Avoid midsummer plantings in hot climates.
Use Succession Planting. This is the number one tip for a continuous harvest. Sow a new batch of seeds every 2 to 3 weeks. This way, as one batch starts to bolt, you have younger plants coming up. You’ll always have plants at the ideal harvesting height.
Harvest Frequently and Correctly. Regular harvesting delays bolting. When plants are about 6 inches tall, start harvesting. Cut the outer leaves near the base of their stems, leaving the central growing point intact. Never cut more than one-third of the plant at once.
Provide Afternoon Shade. In warmer regions, plant where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade. This simple trick can keep plants cooler and extend their leafy phase by weeks.
Keep Soil Consistently Moist. Use mulch! A layer of straw or shredded leaves helps keep soil temperature down and retains moisture, reducing heat and water stress.
Pinch Off Early Flower Buds. At the first sign of a central flower stalk forming, you can pinch it off completely. This can buy you a little more time for leaf production, though the plant will often try to bolt again soon.

What to Do When Your Cilantro Gets Too Tall

If your cilantro has shot up a tall flower stalk, don’t despair. Here are your options:

Let It Flower for Beneficial Insects: The lacy white flowers are excellent for attracting pollinators like bees and beneficial wasps to your garden. This is a great ecological choice.
Collect Coriander Seeds: Allow the seeds to form and turn from green to a light brown color. Cut the seed heads, place them in a paper bag, and let them dry completely. You can crush them for the spice coriander or save them to plant next season.
Use the “Cilantro Tendrils”: The feathery leaves on the bolted stalk still have a cilantro flavor, though it’s stronger and sometimes more bitter. They make a lovely, delicate garnish.
Pull and Replant: Once a plant is fully bolted, its leaf production is essentially over. The best course is often to pull it out and sow new seeds in its place (if the weather is still cool), or wait for your next succession planting to take over.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How tall does cilantro grow before it bolts?

It varies, but most plants will begin to bolt when they are between 12 and 20 inches tall in the leafy stage. The bolting process itself then adds the extra flower stalk height.

Can I stop cilantro from growing so tall?

You can’t stop its natural life cycle, but you can slow it down. The strategies listed above—cool temperatures, frequent harvesting, afternoon shade, and succession planting—are how you keep plants shorter and bushier for longer.

What is the maximum height of a cilantro plant with flowers?

When allowed to fully bolt and flower, a cilantro plant can reach a total height of 30 to 36 inches. In perfect, cool conditions with a slow-bolting variety, it might even approach 40 inches, but this is less common.

Does cilantro grow back after cutting?

Yes, if you cut it properly during its vegetative stage. Harvest by taking the outer leaves, leaving at least half the plant and the central crown intact. It will produce new growth from the center. However, once it has bolted, cutting it back will not produce tasty new leaves; the plant’s focus is now on making seeds.

How deep do cilantro roots grow?

Cilantro has a central taproot that can grow surprisngly deep for an annual herb—often 8 to 12 inches or more. This is why it dislikes being transplanted, as the taproot is easily damaged. It’s also why it can access water from deeper soil layers.

Is tall cilantro still good to eat?

The leaves on a tall, bolting plant become more bitter and less flavorful. They are not as good for your main recipes but can still be used as a garnish. The primary culinary prize at this stage shifts to the green or dried coriander seeds.

Understanding how tall cilantro grows empowers you to plan a more succesful herb garden. By aiming for that bushy, 12-24 inch vegetative plant and using succession planting, you can enjoy a steady supply of fresh leaves for many months. Remember, when it does finally stretch for the sky, it’s not a failure—it’s just offering you a different harvest of flowers for pollinators or seeds for your spice jar.