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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

Geri Reski (not verified)

3 years 11 months ago

We are in Arizona and we use a LOT of cilantro in both Mexican and Asian foods. So delicious! I grow it in an open garden and in my greenhouse. It doesn’t like heat at all so fall, winter and spring growing gives me at least 6 months or longer to enjoy this fragrant and tasty herb!!!

Phoenix (not verified)

4 years 7 months ago

I love Cilantro and have it everyday now for years. I put it in salsa, soups, salads, or as a fresh topping for most dish. Everything is better with Cilantro. It is the first thing I buy when at the grocery store. The first time I tasted it was as a child in an Easter Scrambled eggs dish with tomato, onions at a family brunch and had no idea what it was so for many years of my life I was hunted for that flavor. Only figured out what it was(the special flavor)when I had a taco and salsa in Mexico, I was thrilled. Since then, Any food I have is so much better when that herb is added like fresh salsa which I often make and everyone loves it. I have grown it also but eat it up too quickly which is why I resort to buying it as well. My best friend and also my husband hated the taste at first and now my husband loves it and my friend still hates it, she says it tastes like something rotten.

Lesli Lee (not verified)

4 years 7 months ago

As an adult from age 40+ I've learned to appreciate it, but mostly with other strong flavors. Before that, hated it--tasted/tastes metallic and soapy, but I know how nutritious it is. As pesto is my favorite way to eat it now.

Stephen Burkett (not verified)

4 years 11 months ago

cant stand the stuff..nasty oily taste

nightsmusic (not verified)

4 years 11 months ago

Can't stand the stuff. Tastes Strongly of soap to me and unfortunately, there's often no way to tell if it's cilantro or parsley in a dish (parsley is also strong tasting to me, but not quite as bad) and since it's become a new, 'designer' herb, it's in so many dishes now. Ugh.

Diane (not verified)

5 years 2 months ago

Cilantro has never tasted like soap to me. I love it! I've grown it for many years and it always tastes the same -- delicious! Having said that however, my husband and some of my friends refuse to eat it, because they say it tastes like soap to them every time they try it. My point is -- it can't be the cilantro itself that tastes like soap, but rather it's something in some peoples' taste buds that causes the issue.

Jocelyn (not verified)

1 year 3 months ago

Agreed. It has to be something with individuals’ taste buds that lead to that soapy taste. I have the same issue with pine nuts. They leave a metallic taste in my mouth for days after I eat them. Fortunately, I don’t have that issue with cilantro. It’s a great herb….probably my favorite.

Connie (not verified)

5 years 4 months ago

I love, Love, LOVE Cilantro/Corriander! It's the herb that add that buzz to salsa, chicken, spicy food, etc! I've heard that, to some, it tastes like "FRILLS GUM" up here in Canada... but my sense of taste has never felt the soapy connection. Thankfully, my neigbour has now become a fan on cilantro! Yum, Yum, YUM!

Gerry Stevens (not verified)

5 years 5 months ago

When I 1st discovered the cilantro plant it was used in a fresh salsa. It tasted very soapy & I did not like it. I decided to make my own fresh salsa & used less cilantro & it does not taste soapy to me anymore. I have even eaten several leaves, but I know longer get the sensation of a soapy taste, I now LOVE it & put tons of it in my fresh salsa. Can anyone explain is phenomenon?

It’s genetic. For some people, cilantro tastes like soap.