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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

Cilantro can be subject to damping off, where seedlings may wilt or die. It is caused by various fungi that like cool, damp conditions. Be sure to provide well-drained medium, thin seedlings so that they are not crowded, and provide air circulation. You might try putting a little sand on top of the soilless mix, to help keep the area around the stems from becoming too damp. Water at the base of the stems, rather than from overhead. Some varieties are resistant to this disease.

Other diseases, such as Fusarium wilt, also can cause seedlings to wilt and die.

Sometimes, seedlings can grow tall and lanky and not be able to support themselves. This can be due to insufficient light, or too much fertilizer or water. (Of course, if they don't get enough water, they'll droop, too.)

nancy Sheppard… (not verified)

10 years 1 month ago

I have read in your replies to previous questions that it is best to wait until the seed turns brown before harvesting and then let it dry in a paper bag. My problem is that once the seed is turning brown it seems to fall off the plant before I collect it. The coriander plants I have pulled have much less seeds than when they were green. Would it also work to pull the plant when the seeds are large and green, let them sit in a bag in heat (window with sunshine coming through, and would they then turn brown with a wee bit of time?

D L B (not verified)

10 years 4 months ago

What if I harvested my coriander before it had turned brown...my seeds are still green. Can I still dry them for use as next years cilantro seed or for using as coriander?

To save coriander seeds, we normally leave on the plant until they're baked hard and dry.  You can try it, but we'd probably just enjoy the citrusy taste of the green seeds now and consider letting some of your coriander go to seed next time.

Lulu Katz (not verified)

10 years 4 months ago

Green cilantro seeds are also very tasty fresh in salads or roasted with veggies.

Plump green coriander seeds are a good addition to stir fries and also freeze very well for the same use. I also eat them raw but that is possibly an acquired taste from a self confessed cilantro/coriander addict.

Amanda In SoFLa (not verified)

10 years 4 months ago

Is it temperamental due to direct sunlight or the temp in general? Does keeping it in shaded area outside help in high heat? Or is this best for Indoor growth only in south florida? Even our "winter" is in the 80s. Is humidity a factor also? Newbie here and looking to gather as much info for my climate and what can grow when. TY

Cilantro will bolt (go to seed) based on temperature and longer day length. Shading the plant in high heat will certainly help the plant cope in general, and might possibly delay bolting for a little bit; you can also keep cutting the flower stalk as it forms to delay it. The plants do not like humidity, and some might become stressed enough to bolt; humidity can also encourage certain diseases. In Florida, cilantro is usually grown in fall and winter, to avoid the higher temperatures. If a plant bolts, though, you can eventually harvest the seeds as coriander.

Kimi (not verified)

10 years 4 months ago

What does it mean when it says you can get 3 life cycles out of a plant? Also what considered too hot for cilantro? I live in northwest Oregon and our weather varies a lot.

Stan Kosek (not verified)

10 years 5 months ago

The discussion of cilantro really helped me.