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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

<span>Evan Ng</span> Sun, 12/06/2015 - 08:57
What if my coriander plant starts wilting? Am i giving it too much/too little water? It is rainy season here currently. Thank you!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 12/09/2015 - 10:15

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!

 <span>Faithy</span> Wed, 08/12/2015 - 14:22
Thank you for the useful info! And reading the comments was informative too. I love fresh cilantro and looking forward to trying to grow some in my home.
<span>Linda Lambrick</span> Sat, 07/25/2015 - 15:18
I just want to say...Thank You So Much!! I learned a lot!!
<span>Candie1818</span> Thu, 06/11/2015 - 09:16
My cilantro plants have grown to be about 18 inches tall. On the bottom are the thicker green leaves, in the middle there are thin wispy leaves, and on top there are small white flowers. What are the flowers? Can they be used? Were should I cut them down? And how do I dry/store each part? I would like to use the cilantro in fresh salsa but the rest of the garden, of course, is not ready for harvest. Any ideas on how to keep it fresh until then?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 07/29/2015 - 12:01

As stated at the top of this page, the leaves are cilantro and the flowers are coriander. You will find answers to all of your questions above: You can use the leaves (the cilantro), and allow the flowers to self seed or harvest, dry, and store them for culinary use. The plant tends to flag in really hot conditions, does best in spring or fall.

 <span>Mickey Emmert</span> Fri, 05/22/2015 - 13:08
I live in Managua, Nicaragua and was wondering if I could grow cilantro here and if so can I grown it in an aquaponic system?
<span>Daniel11Silva</span> Wed, 05/20/2015 - 15:52
Hello! I started growing my coriander about 3 weeks ago. It's been growing great, but it seems like is not growing anymore. At this moment, my plant has 2 different leaves, the first one is the first to appear while growing, is like a thin leaf. The second one is the common big and fancy leaf that we all use to cook. My question is, should I cut out the thin leaves? Like in order to leave more space for the big leaves. They're all beautifully green and I really want to do the best for the plant, but since it's the first plant I grow in my entire life, I'm kind of lost in what to do now. Thanks to anyone who can help me! Daniel
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 05/22/2015 - 13:24

Congratulations, Daniel! Now that your cilantro is underway, let it get established. Do not do anything to it. Go out, take a walk, cook something—do anything that will distract you for a while. Whatever you did to get your plant going was great; now give it some space and time. Water as needed, of course, and soon enough you will have true leaves to harvest.

 <span>Azgreenthumb</span> Sat, 04/18/2015 - 03:49
I just planted cilantro 4/15/15 and wanted to know if it would be cool enough to last through the summer heat in tucson,az. I have it in a raised planter with a framed out sunshade cloth so it doesn't get direct sunlight. Can you delay the bolting by keeping it in shade, well watered and cutting the flower stalks?? Also when harvesting it what is the best way cut it so it goes dormant until the next season and you don't have to start with fresh seeds/clones? Thank you!