How can you tell if Fresh Herbs (cilantro, parsley) has gone bad?

Signs that Fresh Herbs (cilantro, parsley) has gone bad: Slimy or black-tipped leaves; Sour fermented smell, soggy stems; Watery liquid in the container.

What does the date label on Fresh Herbs (cilantro, parsley) mean?

Fresh Herbs (cilantro, parsley) usually doesn't carry a printed date label — judge by storage time and the spoilage signs above.

Produce

How long does Fresh Herbs (cilantro, parsley) last?

Q: How long does Fresh Herbs (cilantro, parsley) last?

In the fridge: 1–2 weeks. In the freezer: 6 months. Sealed / unopened: N/A. Trim stems and store in a jar of water like flowers, then cover loosely with a bag.

Medium confidence Quality concern

How long does Fresh Herbs (cilantro, parsley) last? fridge 1–2 weeks, freezer 6 months. Plus spoilage signs, sources, and an unopened-vs-opened note.

Fridge

1–2 weeks

Pantry

Refrigerate only

Freezer

6 months

Sealed / unopened: N/A

Signs Fresh Herbs (cilantro, parsley) has gone bad

Slimy or black-tipped leaves.
Sour fermented smell, soggy stems.
Watery liquid in the container.

Discard immediately if

Slimy texture even after rinsing
Sour smell
Black or fuzzy mold spreading from a single spot

Why guidance varies

Fresh produce ripening depends on ethylene-gas exposure, storage temperature, humidity, and time since harvest — duration estimates assume typical home conditions, not optimal commercial storage.

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Sources for this answer

A USDA FoodKeeper — Storage windows and refrigeration guidance for this category.
A FDA — Are You Storing Food Safely? — Date-label interpretation and food-safety baseline.

Reviewed: 2026-05 · Rule: if manufacturer storage instructions are stricter than category guidance, the manufacturer instructions win.