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How to Harvest Your Edible Plants
Your edible plants are looking amazing. You’ve lovingly watched them grow and now it’s time to begin harvesting them.
To help you out, we’ve gathered together some quick harvesting tips for each of our edible plants.
As you’ll notice, some tips apply to more than 1 plant. We’ve also included 2 helpful videos at the end of this post to demonstrate how to prune and pollinate.
Happy harvesting!
1. Pak Choi, Red Pak Choi
- You can start harvesting the plant in approximately one month by picking off the larger outer leaves - the plant will produce more from its basal growing point. Harvest gradually until the plant is about 40 days old.
- Alternatively, you may harvest the whole plant one month after it has been planted. Just remember not to allow it to age over two months.
2. Red Chard
- You can start harvesting in approximately three weeks by picking off the larger outer leaves - the plant will produce more from its basal growing point.
- Harvest gradually until the plant is about five weeks old. If you prefer harvesting the whole pod at once, we recommend doing so four weeks after planting.
3. Chili Pepper, Yellow Chili Pepper, Purple Chili Pepper, Red Hot Chili Pepper, Mini Tomato, Yellow Mini Tomato, Yellow Sweet Pepper, Wild Strawberry
- Do not not cut or prune your plant before fruiting - it will form flowers and fruits at the top of the plant.
- Once your plant is flowering it needs to be pollinated by hand. Do this by gently shaking your plant to carry pollen from one blossom to the next.
4. Green Sorrel, Bloody Sorrel
- You may start harvesting single leaves approximately three weeks after planting. Alternatively, harvest the whole plant after one month of growing - it’s up to you.
- Harvest all your Green Sorrel plants before two months of age. At this point they have the best taste and the highest nutritional value.
5. Dwarf Pea
- If you harvest sprouts and flowers, you won’t be able to harvest any actual peas.
- If you allow your pea plants to grow freely, expect your first pea pods to mature approximately 35 days from planting.
6. Dill
- We recommend harvesting the whole plant approximately one month after it is planted.
- If you prefer harvesting single outer leaves first, start doing so approximately three weeks after planting. Your plant will produce more from its growing point.
- Harvest Dill before it ages and loses its signature flavor at two months of age.
7. Garden Cress
- You can start harvesting single leaves approximately three weeks after planting. Make sure you harvest the whole plant pod by one month at the latest - at this point it has the best taste and the highest nutritional value.
8. Rosemary
- In two months it should be ready for first harvesting. Gently trim the tips of the plant, leaving at least four pairs of true leaves to grow. More will appear soon.
9. Hyssop
- You can start harvesting Hyssop approximately one month after planting.
Gently trim the tips of the plant, leaving at least two pairs of true leaves to grow. There will be more growth soon.
10. Marjoram
- Be sure to trim your Marjoram for more growth approximately one month after planting.
- Remember to leave at least two pairs of true leaves to grow whilst cutting.
If you prefer to see your Marjoram in bloom, do not cut it back. Wait until you see its pale yet flattering tiny flowers.
11. Red Kale
- You can start harvesting in approximately one month by picking off the larger outer leaves first.
- Harvest gradually by moving towards the heart of the plant until the pod is a maximum of two months old.
- Alternatively, you may harvest the whole plant one month after planting. Just keep in mind not to allow it to age over two months.
12. Arugula, Leaf Mustard
- You may start harvesting single leaves approximately 25 days after planting or harvest the whole plant after one month of growing - it’s up to you.
- Harvest the whole pod in 30 to 35 days - at this point it tastes best and has the highest nutritional value.
13. Basil, Dwarf Basil, Red Basil, Thai Basil
- Basil likes to be cut. You can start trimming your plants approximately one month after planting. You may remove single leaves occasionally... But, for more thriving growth, pinching off the whole tip is recommended - it will grow two new shoots in a week.
- Trimming your plant will also delay flowering and prevents the taste from becoming bitter. The choice is yours - if you want to see the white flowers, don’t cut your plant anymore. If you would like to keep harvesting the leaves, continue trimming.
14. Catnip
- After one month, gently trim the tips of the plant, leaving at least two pairs of true leaves to grow. There will be more growth soon.
- If you want your Catnip to bloom - don't cut it. After flowering, however, feel free to cut it back. New green growth will appear soon.
15. Chives
- You can start harvesting single leaves gradually, one by one, approximately one month after planting. In this case cut off the whole leaf at full length. By doing so, a plant pod may last up to twelve weeks.
- Alternatively, you can harvest all Chives at once whenever you like. Usually they are fully grown in eight weeks.
16. Cilantro/Coriander
- You can start harvesting single outer leaves approximately one month after planting - your plant will produce more from its growing point.
- The whole plant pod should be harvested in approximately two months.
17. Lemon Balm, Garden Sage, Thyme
- You should be able to harvest approximately one month after planting the pod.
- Gently trim the tips of the plant, leaving at least 2 pairs of true leaves to grow. There will be more soon.
18. Green Lettuce, Romaine Lettuce
- We recommend harvesting the whole pod at once, approximately 30 to 35 days after planting.
- You may also harvest gradually, starting approximately 25 days after planting by picking off the larger outer leaves first. Cut off single leaves gradually, moving towards the heart of the plant until the pod is maximum 40 days old.
19. Oregano
- Be sure to trim your Oregano for more growth approximately one month after planting.
- Prune the plant and leave at least two pairs of true leaves to grow.
- If you prefer to see your Oregano in bloom then don’t cut it back until you see its pinkish, tiny flowers.
20. Parsley
- You can gradually harvest single leaves one by one, starting from one month after planting. By doing this, the plant pod may last about ten weeks.
- Alternatively, you can harvest the whole Parsley pod at once whenever you like. It is usually fully grown in seven weeks.
21. Peppermint
- In 4 weeks it should be ready for first harvesting. Just trim the tips of the plant. It's easy to prune and almost impossible to harm. You could even cut the whole plant 5 cm / 2 inch above the ground, (leaving at least 2 pairs of true leaves to grow) and it will produce more stems.
Recipe Inspiration
Video Guides
How to prune your plants:
How to pollinate your plants:
We hope you find this harvesting guide helpful. Plant care tips can also be found on our plant pod page. Simply click on the plant you wish to know about and then select the ‘plant care’ tab.
You can also contact our expert gardeners using our popular ‘Ask a Gardener’ forum. When it comes to indoor herb garden ideas and tips on how to grow plants indoors, we’ve got you covered.
Head over to www.clickandgrow.com for more inspiration and to learn about our desire to make the most essential, fresh, vitamin-packed food available for everyone.