Should I prune my leggy cilantro?

You can trim back the top growth to encourage bushier stems, but it will not fix the underlying light issue. It is better to move the plant to a brighter spot.

Is it too late to save a leggy plant?

If it has not started flowering yet, moving it to better light can help. If it is already bolting, it is best to harvest what you can and start new seeds.

Why is my cilantro growing tall and thin? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Measure the amount of direct sunlight the plant receives daily.
Check the temperature of the plant's location.
Look for signs of flower buds forming at the top of the stems.

Likely causes

Insufficient light
Most likely
How to tell: The stems are long and pale with large gaps between the leaves. The plant is leaning heavily toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move the pot to a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun. If growing indoors, use a grow light positioned 3 to 4 inches above the plant.
Heat stress
Possible
How to tell: The plant grows rapidly and tall before suddenly producing flowers. This is the plant's way of trying to finish its life cycle quickly.
What to do: Provide afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 75 degrees. Keep the soil consistently moist to help the plant stay cool.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your cilantro

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If the plant is very tall and starting to produce flower buds, it is likely bolting and the flavor of the leaves will become bitter.

Stopping it coming back

Provide plenty of light from the start and keep the plant in a cooler location during the peak of summer.

Cilantro: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cilantro and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I prune my leggy cilantro?: You can trim back the top growth to encourage bushier stems, but it will not fix the underlying light issue. It is better to move the plant to a brighter spot.
Is it too late to save a leggy plant?: If it has not started flowering yet, moving it to better light can help. If it is already bolting, it is best to harvest what you can and start new seeds.

Why is my cilantro growing tall and thin?