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How to Grow Cilantro and Coriander Plants: The Complete Guide

Photo Credit
Pixabay
Botanical Name
Coriandrum sativum
Plant Type
Herb
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Part Sun
Bloom Time
Spring

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Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Cilantro and Coriander

Catherine Boeckmann

Cilantro is a fast-growing, aromatic, annual herb that grows best in the cooler weather of spring and fall. Here’s how to grow cilantro (and coriander) in your garden. This popular herb is used to flavor many recipes, and the entire plant is edible, though the leaves and seeds are used most often.

Cilantro vs. Coriander—What’s the Difference?

Cilantro and coriander are different parts of the same plant.

Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum, usually refers to the plant’s leaves, which are used as an herb. This describes the vegetative stage of the plant’s life cycle.

Coriander refers to the seeds, which are typically ground and used as a spice. This happens after the plant flowers and develops seeds.

Read Next

Planting

  • Plant cilantro in the spring after the last frost date or in the fall. In the Southwestern US, a fall planting may last through spring until the weather heats up again.
  • Do not grow in the summer heat as the plants will bolt (such that it will be past harvesting). The leaves that grow on bolted plants tend to be bitter in flavor.
  • It is best to choose a sunny site that will allow cilantro to self-seed as it ought to do. Plant in an herb garden or the corner of a vegetable garden. When the weather gets warm, the plant will quickly finish its life cycle and send up a long stalk which will produce blossoms and later seeds. Little plants will sprout during the season and the next spring. 
  • Plant the seeds in light, well-drained soil and space them 1 to 2 inches apart. Sow the seeds at 3-week intervals for continued harvest.
  • Space rows about 12 inches apart.
  • It is important to keep the seeds moist during their germination, so remember to water the plants regularly.

Growing

  • Water the seedlings regularly throughout the growing season. They require about 1 inch of water per week for best growth.
  • Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart so that they have room to develop healthy leaves.
  • Once the plants are established, they do not need as much water per week. Keep them moist, but be careful not to overwater them.
  • Fertilize once or twice during the growing season with nitrogen fertilizer. Apply 1/4 cup of fertilizer per 25 feet of row. Be sure not to over-fertilize the plants.
  • To help prevent weeds, mulch around the plants as soon as they are visible above the soil. You can also till shallowly to help prevent root damage from weeds.

Types

  • Slow-bolting varieties, such as ‘Costa Rica’, ‘Leisure’, and ‘Long Standing’ are the best choices for harvesting the leaves.

Harvesting

  • Harvest while it is low. When the cilantro grows its stalk, cut off the plant after the seeds drop and let it self-seed.
  • The large leaves can be cut individually from the plants. For the smaller leaves, cut them off 1-1/2 to 2 inches above the crown.
  • You can also remove the entire plant at once; however, this means that you will not be able to continue harvesting for the rest of the growing season.

Coriander seeds.

  • To store coriander seeds, cut off the seed heads when the plant begins to turn brown and put them in a paper bag. Hang the bag until the plant dries and the seeds fall off. You can then store the seeds in sealed containers.
  • To store cilantro leaves, you can either freeze or dry them. To freeze, put the leaves in a resealable freezer bag and store them in your freezer. To dry them, hang the plant in a warm place until fully dried, then store the leaves in a resealable bag or container.
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Wit and Wisdom

  • Coriander is thought to symbolize hidden worth. Explore more plant meanings here.
  • Does cilantro taste like soap? Folks occasionally report a strong dislike for cilantro, claiming it tastes exactly like soap. Some studies show that this reaction may be influenced by genetics, while others propose that the taste is due to a molecule called aldehyde, which occurs naturally in cilantro, but is also used in some soaps. Does cilantro taste like soap to you? Let us know in the comments below!
  • There are two common methods for keeping cilantro fresh. The first requires a jar (a mason jar works well) filled with about an inch of water. Place the stems in the water and then tent a zip-close plastic bag over the entire thing. It is a good idea to put an elastic band around the base of the jar to keep the bag in place. Store in the refrigerator. The second method has you lay the cilantro on paper towels in a single layer. Then, roll up the paper towels and place them in a zip-close plastic bag (You can also place it in an airtight container). Store in the refrigerator. If you notice the paper towels becoming wet, change them.

Pests/Diseases

To control insects, use insecticidal soap once they are spotted under leaves.

Clean up debris and spent plants to avoid wilt and mildew.

A common problem with cilantro is its fast-growing cycle. As mentioned above, it will not grow properly in the heat of summer. Grow so that you harvest in spring, fall, or winter (in mild climates).

Recipes

Cilantro and Mint Sauce
Herbs
About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË found each other. She leads digital content for the ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
 

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Comments

Michael Garcia (not verified)

7 years 6 months ago

I just replanted some cilantro, 7 inches apart, buried evenly at the top, I replaced dirt with fresh soil and lightly fertilized and watered 4 days before replanting. Now they look like they're dying. Recently the weather has been hot, then cold, then hot. What do you suggest.

Hi Michael,

Cilantro does not do well in heat, and the quickly changing temperatures you describe don’t help. Spread a 1- to 2-inch-layer of mulch or compost around the cilantro plants to help to keep the roots cool and wet. Another option is to plant more cilantro plants in with the others, leaving 3 to 4 inches of space between each plant. The close together leaves will shade the soil at the base of the plants, helping to keep them cool. We hope this helps! 

Kristyne (not verified)

8 years 4 months ago

Hi! Here in Australia the seeds and plant are called Coriander. Do you know why the Americans call the seeds Coriander and the plant Cilantro?

Cilantro is the Spanish word for the leaves of the plant. In the US we mostly picked up the habit of eating it from Latin American food, so we use the word our neighbors to the South use!

No idea, but it's the same in the UK and Ireland; both leaves and seed are called coriander, although the seeds may be labelled as 'coriander seed' when sold as a cooking spice.

gina (not verified)

8 years 6 months ago

Hello. I live in AK & just planter cilantro a few days ago. The Temps this week are to hit high 60s, low 70s. What is considered too hot for plant? Thanks!

Crystal Johnston (not verified)

8 years 10 months ago

this year I planted my cilantro in a very large pot..here in Pennsylvania this year we had a weird fall/winter and I didn't have to bring my pots in until a week before Christmas..after harvesting fresh leaves all summer I am now pleased to watch my plant starting to bolt a month after bringing it indoors.

for those that are growing in a hot climate you could try bringing it indoors (if you have AC) to give it the cooler temps it likes..for me it's backwards , since I have to bring mine in to get it to bolt

Evan Ng (not verified)

8 years 11 months ago

What if my coriander plant starts wilting? Am i giving it too much/too little water? It is rainy season here currently. Thank you!

Coriander may wilt for a few reasons. Too little water, it will wilt and yellow, with leaves browning. Too much, and the plant may become mushy and wilt. Don’t let the soil get soggy; make sure that there is good drainage, and let the soil dry out in the top inch a bit before watering once plants are established. Young plants need more water, however.

Check for insects, such as aphids (which suck the sap, causing wilting). Various diseases can cause wilting as well. Fusarium wilt usually strikes seedlings, but if it attacks mature plants, they may wilt and yellow, or their growth may be stunted.

Hope this helps!