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Planting and Growing Cilantro and Coriander

Image Credit:
Pixabay
Botanical Name
Coriandrum sativum
Grown as
Annual
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Sun
Water Needs
Moderate
Height
1–3 feet
Spread
Under 1 foot
Soil pH
Acidic
Neutral
Bloom Time
Spring
Special Features
Container-Friendly
Fragrant
Low Maintenance
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Pollinators
Deer-resistant
Rabbit-resistant
Resilience
Cold Hardy
Plant Type
Herbs
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Craving fresh flavor from garden to table? Cilantro (and its spicy alter ego, coriander) packs a punch in both leafy and seed forms. This cool-season herb is a must-have for salsa lovers, curry makers, and taco enthusiasts alike. But don’t let its delicate leaves fool you: cilantro is fast-growing, fuss-free, and totally edible from root to seed. 

Whether you’re planting for the herb (cilantro) or the spice (coriander), we’ll show you exactly how to grow, harvest, and savor this aromatic overachiever.

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. The leaves are part of the vegetative stage of the plant’s life cycle.

Coriander refers to the seeds, which are typically ground and used as a spice. The seeds develop after the plant flowers.

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Planting

When to Plant Cilantro

  • Plant cilantro in the spring after the last frost date or in the fall. In the southwestern U.S., 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.

Where to Plant Cilantro

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.

How to Plant Cilantro

  • Plant the seeds in light, well-draining 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 overfertilize 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.

Harvesting

  • Harvest when the plant is 6 to 8 inches tall. 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 off 1-1/2 to 2 inches above the crown.
  • You can also remove the entire plant at once, but doing so will mean 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.

Pests and Problems

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).

Types

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

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 filled with about an inch of water; a mason jar works well. Place the stems in the water and then tent a zip-close plastic bag over the mouth of the jar. 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 entails laying the cilantro on paper towels in a single layer. Then, roll up the paper towels and place them in a zip-close plastic bag or an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator. If you notice the paper towels becoming wet, change them.

Herbs

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

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

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 07/02/2013 - 10:23
Keep harvesting the little leaves but let some of the plants bloom and go to seed. As seeds fall to the ground, new cilantro plants will come up later in the season.
<span>Garden-Nz.co.nz</span> Thu, 06/20/2013 - 10:15
This post is a great guide for growing Coriander...In truth, cilantro is not the easiest herb to grow. It's very delicate. This post is very helpful!
<span>Anonymous</span> Mon, 02/18/2013 - 11:12
It is very cold in Alabama but I still have a large pot of cilantro outside in a somewhat covered area. The leaves are very large. Is it still edible? Even if the leaves are really large?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 02/20/2013 - 15:26
The optimum time to harvest cilantro leaves is when they are young. If they have grown large, they will not be palatable.