How to Grow Guide: Cilantro

Herbs are one of the easiest things you can grow!  They’re great little counter companions or even as a nice centerpiece on your table.  And they give the most delicious pop to your meals, especially on a cold winter day.

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is an herb with savory, dark green leaves that are harvested fresh and used to flavour many Asian and Latin dishes.  The dried seeds are known as coriander or Chinese parsley.

Cilantro is perfect if you want to get your feet wet with gardening!

Difficulty
Easy

Timing
Seeds can be planted directly into the soil as soon as frost has passed, or they can be grown inside, in a pot.

They don’t like extremely cold weather so unless you have a cold frame, cilantro should be grown indoors during the winter months in the Northern hemisphere.  Warmer weather causes them to bolt (produce seeds) so watch them closely in July/August.

Starting
The best time to plant is in the late spring months of May-June (Northern Hemisphere), or in cooler, dryer months for a warmer climate.

Select a patch of soil where the cilantro will get full exposure to the sun. It will tolerate some shade in southerly areas where the sun gets very hot during the day. The soil should be light and well-drained.

If you really want to till the soil before planting, work 2 to 3 inches of an organic mulch into the top layer of soil. If using manure, make sure the manure is composted or aged for at least 3 months so it doesn’t burn the young plants. Rake the area smooth before planting.

Sow the seeds about 1⁄4 inch deep, spaced 6 to 8 inches apart, in rows approximately 1 foot (0.3 m) apart. Cilantro seeds need plenty of moisture to germinate, about an inch of water per week so water them frequently. They should germinate in about 2 to 3 weeks.

For continuous growing, plant a new batch of seeds every 2 to 3 weeks.

Growing
Pinch back young cilantro plants an inch or so to encourage fuller, bushier plants. Snip off the top part of the main stem as soon as it appears to be developing flower buds or seedpods. This directs the plant’s energy back into producing leaves.

Harvest
For Cilantro
Harvest any time. Use the upper, new, finely cut leaves in cooking, leave the mature, lower ferny-type leaves. Cilantro is not normally saved and dried as it loses almost its entire flavor.

For Coriander
Harvest on a dry day. Cut the top of the stems when the seedpods begin to turn brown and crack if pressed. Make sure pods are harvested before they release seeds into the garden.

Once stems are cut, place seedpods in a paper bag so seeds will be caught. Finish the ripening process for a few weeks in a dark, well-ventilated, cool place. Pods can be shaken or rolled around in your hands to release the seeds.

Companion Planting
Attracts beneficial insects to deter pests. Plant with spinach, tomatoes, fruits and all kinds of vegetables.

Allow it to bolt and flower to attract insects.  Replant every 2-3 weeks.

Companion plant with basil, mint, yarrow, dill, lavender and tansy.