Cilantro
coriandrum sativum
A Basic Growing Guide
Description
Cilantro is a leafy herb that thrives in cool seasons. Its appearance is similar to Italian parsley, but its flavor is much more distinct…and divisive! Cilantro, parsley, celery, dill, fennel, and carrots are all part of the Apiaceae (Ay-pee-ay-see-ay) family. If that is too much of a mouthful, you can use the other name for that family “umbellifers.” They get that name because of the umbrella-like shape of their flowers.
Every year I garden, I always wish I’d grown more cilantro. For some dishes, I only need a couple of tablespoons, but if I’m making fresh spring rolls, bahn mi sandwiches or chicken tortilla soup, I prefer measuring by the handful. It is a sad day when the weather warms up a little too much and this cool season herb begins to flower and go to seed. Luckily, the seeds of this plant are also kitchen superstars, adding a warm nutty flavor to dishes.
In the U.S., once cilantro goes to seed, we call it coriander. In the UK, they skip the identity crisis and call it coriander the whole time. The seeds are worth harvesting because whole coriander seeds are harder to find at the store than ground coriander, and grinding your own coriander is supposed to make it taste next-level. This is what I had in mind early last summer, once my cilantro plants had finished flowering and were full of perfect, green spherical seeds (they turn brown once they are dry). Intending to speed up the drying process, I cut down the plants and hung them upside down on my garden fence. I left them there a little too long and the seeds fell into the grass below. Now I have a little cilantro carpet under that section of fence! Maybe that will solve my never-enough cilantro problem?
Some Common Varieties
Slow Bolt – A heat-tolerant variety that takes longer to flower, extending the harvest.
Calypso – One of the slowest bolting varieties, producing lots of leafy growth.
Leisure – Classic cilantro variety with strong, flavorful leaves.
Cilantro Through The Season
Planting Instructions
Light Requirements
Prefers full sun (6+ hours per day) but benefits from partial afternoon shade in hotter months.
When
In Middle Tennessee, plant cilantro in early spring (March-April) or late summer to fall (August-September) for best results. It prefers cool temperatures and will bolt in the summer heat. I let some of my cilantro go to seed in my raised bed and was surprised when it popped up in late January and survived frost, light snowfall, and temperatures in the teens, albeit, it was somewhat protected in a low corner. If you don’t mind experiments that can fail, you could try planting even earlier than usually recommended.
Seed or Transplant?
Best grown from direct-seeded since it has a delicate taproot that doesn’t transplant well. Sow seeds every 2-3 weeks to have successions of new plants ready to harvest.
Depth
Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.
Spacing
Space plants 6-8 inches apart.
Growth Habit
Forms a low-growing clump of bright green leaves. If left to flower, it produces tall, wispy stems with umbrella-shaped white blooms that eventually go to seed.
Tending
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist, providing about 1 inch of water per week. Avoid overwatering, as it dislikes soggy roots.
Common Pests and Treatments
Cilantro is generally pest-free since it finishes growing before the pest pressure increases in the warmer months.
Aphids – Small, sap-sucking insects that cluster on stems and leaves. Spray them off with water.
Leafhoppers – Tiny hopping bugs that cause yellowing leaves. Use row covers to prevent infestations.
Common Diseases and How to Treat
Powdery Mildew – White, powdery coating on leaves. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
Damping Off – A fungal disease that affects seedlings. Plant in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering.
Feeding/Fertilizing
Not usually necessary aside from providing fresh compost or a balanced fertilizer at planting time.
Pruning
Regular harvesting encourages continuous leaf production. You can remove flower buds to delay bolting, but it will eventually bolt!
Harvesting
When
Leaves: Leaves grow during the cool season, harvest before the plant bolts.
Seeds (Coriander): Once seed heads dry out and the seeds turn from green to brown.
How
For leaves: Snip outer leaves 1-2 inches above the soil using scissors, or hand pick. Leave the inner leaves to continue growing.
For seeds (Coriander): Allow flowers to fully dry on the plant, then cut the seed heads and place them in a paper bag. Shake the bag to release the seeds.
Then What?
Store fresh cilantro in the refrigerator, wrapped in a damp paper towel or placed in a jar of water.
Chop and freeze cilantro in ice cube trays with a little water or oil for long-term storage.
Store coriander seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Cilantro Recipes
Quick Pickles with Green Coriander and Dill Seed