Cilantro is an annual herb in the mint family and has been used in cooking for centuries. The plant grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Cilantro will bolt (flower and go to seed) if the temperature gets too hot, so it is best to plant it in the spring or fall.
Botanical Name: | Coriandrum sativum |
Other Names: | Chinese parsley, dhania |
Type of Plant: | Annual herb |
Size and Appearance: | Grows to 50 cm (20 in) tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering stems. The flowers are borne in small umbels, white or very pale pink, asymmetrical, with the petals pointing away from the center of the umbel longer (5–6 mm) than those pointing toward it (only 1–3 mm). |

Planting Time:
Spring.

Blossoming Time:
Summer.

Propagation:
From seed.

Sun:
Full sun.

Temperature:
Between 50°F and 85°F (10°C – 30°C)

Soil:
Well-drained, sandy soil.

Watering:
Only very light watering is required.

Fertilize:
Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.

Uses:
Cilantro seeds are used as a spice for pickling vegetables.
Table of Contents
ToggleHow to plant Cilantro in the garden.

- Buy Coriandrum sativum seeds from a reputable source.
- Prepare the garden bed by tilling the soil and removing any weeds or debris.
- Sow the seeds in rows, spacing them about an inch apart.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and water them gently.
- Keep the soil moist but not wet, and wait for the seeds to germinate. This can take up to two weeks.
- Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them out so that they are spaced about six inches apart.
- Continue to water regularly and fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
- Harvest the leaves when they are young and tender, typically after about 60 days.
I will cover each step in a little more detail in the following.
1. Buy Coriandrum sativum seeds from a reputable source.
There are many places where Coriandrum sativum seeds can be bought, but the best place is probably a local grocery store or market.
The reason for this is that the seeds will be fresher and more likely to be of good quality.
2. Prepare the garden bed by tilling the soil and removing any weeds or debris.
The ideal spot for Coriandrum sativum in the garden is in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
This plant prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade. It is also drought tolerant once established.
The best way to prepare the soil for planting coriander is to loosen the topsoil to a depth of about 12 inches.
You can do this with a shovel or a tiller. If the soil is very compacted, you may need to add some organic matter to help loosen it up. Once the soil is loose, you should rake it smooth and level it out before planting.
One potential obstacle you may encounter when preparing the soil for coriander is that it is a heavy feeder.
This means that it will need a lot of nutrients to grow well. If your soil is lacking in nutrients, you may need to add some fertilizer before planting.
Another potential obstacle is that coriander does not tolerate wet soils well. If your soil tends to be very wet, you may need to take steps to improve drainage before planting.
3. Sow the seeds in rows, spacing them about an inch apart.
Coriandrum sativum is best sown in early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked.
The seeds should be sown ½ inch deep in well-drained soil, and spaced about 6 inches apart. Cilantro is a fast-growing crop, so thinning will likely be necessary.
4. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and water them gently.
Gently pat down the soil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact and cover the seeds with a very thin layer of soil.
5. Keep the soil moist but not wet, and wait for the seeds to germinate. This can take up to two weeks.
Coriandrum sativum seeds need a lot of water when they are first planted.
This is because they need to be kept moist in order to germinate. Once they have germinated, they will need less water.
6. Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them out so that they are spaced about six inches apart.
When the seedlings of Coriandrum sativum are about 2-3 inches tall, they should be thinned out so that they are about 6 inches apart.
This will allow them to have enough room to grow and produce a good crop.
7. Continue to water regularly and fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
A freshly planted Coriandrum sativum needs a lot of water because it is a very thirsty plant. It will need to be watered every day, and even more so in hot weather.
The reason it needs so much water is that it has a very shallow root system, so the roots can’t reach down deep into the soil to find moisture.
Fertilize cilantro every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Cilantro is a heavy feeder and benefits from additional nutrients to produce lush foliage and an abundance of flavorful leaves.
8. Harvest the leaves when they are young and tender, typically after about 60 days.
Coriandrum sativum, or cilantro, is best harvested when the plant is 6-8 inches tall.
At this point, the leaves will be a deep green color and the stems will be tender. Cilantro is a cool-weather crop, so it is best to harvest it in the spring or fall. If you harvest it in the summer, the plant will bolt (go to seed) and the leaves will become bitter.
To encourage new growth in spring, cut back the Coriandrum sativum plant by about one-third of its height.
This will stimulate the plant to produce new growth from the base, resulting in fuller, bushier plants.
How to grow Cilantro in a planting pot

- Buy Coriandrum sativum seeds from a reputable source.
- Fill a planting pot with a well-draining potting mix.
- Sow the seeds on the surface of the potting mix and lightly press them into the mix.
- Water the seeds gently with a spray bottle.
- Place the pot in a warm, sunny location.
- Keep the soil moist but not wet, watering as needed with a spray bottle.
- The seeds should germinate within 7-14 days.
- Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them out so that only the strongest seedling remains in each pot.
- Fertilize the plants every 2-3 weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer designed for use on edible plants.
I will cover each step in a little more detail in the following.
1. Buy Coriandrum sativum seeds, a planting pot, and some potting mix.
The best place to buy Coriandrum sativum seeds is probably a local grocery store or market.
The perfect pot for Coriandrum sativum would be a deep pot with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. The pot should be made of a material that allows the roots to breathe, such as clay or ceramic.
2. Fill a planting pot with a well-draining potting mix.
The perfect potting mix for Coriandrum sativum would be a mix of 1 part peat moss, 1 part perlite, and 1 part vermiculite.
This mix would provide the plant with good drainage while still retaining some moisture. The pH of the mix should be slightly acidic, around 6.0.
To sow the seeds of Coriandrum sativum in a planting pot, fill the pot with moistened potting mix to within 1/2 inch of the rim of the pot.
3. Sow the seeds on the surface of the potting mix and lightly press them into the mix.
Place the seeds on the surface of the mix and lightly press them into the mix.
4. Water the seeds gently with a spray bottle.
Coriandrum sativum seeds need a lot of water to germinate and grow. A spray bottle is better than a watering can because it evenly distributes the water and doesn’t disturb the seeds.
5. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location.
The perfect spot for Coriandrum sativum indoors in a pot would be in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and needs moist, but not wet soil. It is also important to note that this plant does not tolerate frost.
6. Keep the soil moist but not wet, watering as needed with a spray bottle.
Coriandrum sativum seeds need a lot of water to germinate, so the soil should be kept moist.
Once the seedlings have emerged, they can tolerate some drought but will do best if given regular watering.
7. The seeds should germinate within 7-14 days.
Coriandrum sativum seeds germinate in 7-14 days. The seedlings look like small cilantro plants with delicate, lacy leaves.
8. Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them out so that only the strongest seedling remains in each pot.
Coriandrum sativum is best thinned out when the seedlings are about 4-6 inches tall. At this point, you will want to thin them out so that there is only one plant per pot.
This will ensure that each plant has enough room to grow and produce a good amount of cilantro.
9. Fertilize the plants every 2-3 weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer designed for use on edible plants.
The perfect fertilizer for Coriandrum sativum that grows indoors would be high-quality, organic compost. This would provide the plant with the nutrients it needs to thrive, while also improving the quality of the soil.
To pinch back the tips of Coriandrum sativum plants, use your fingers to lightly grasp the stem tip just above a leaf node.
Gently bend the stem until it snaps. This will encourage the plant to produce lateral growth from the leaf nodes below the break.
How to use Cilantro

Coriandrum sativum is a popular herb that is used in many different cuisines around the world. It has a unique flavor that can be described as earthy, citrusy, and slightly sweet.
It is often used to add flavor to soups, stews, curries, and other dishes. It can also be used to make tea or added to other beverages for a refreshing taste.
In traditional medicine, Coriandrum sativum is thought to have many health benefits.
It is said to aid in digestion, relieve gas and bloating, and even help with weight loss. It is also used as a natural detoxifier and is believed to help remove heavy metals from the body.
Some people also use it as a natural treatment for anxiety and depression.
In the esoteric world, coriander is sometimes used in spells and rituals for love, luck, and protection.
It is also said to attract positive energy and good fortune. Some people believe that wearing or carrying Coriandrum sativum can help ward off negative energy and evil spirits.
Whether you are using it in your kitchen or trying out its purported health benefits, Coriandrum sativum is an interesting herb with a long history of use in many different cultures.
Facts about Cilantro
- Coriander is sometimes called cilantro, but they are actually two different plants.
- The leaves of the Coriandrum sativum plant are used as an herb, while the seeds are used as a spice.
- Coriandrum sativum seeds have a lemony citrus flavor when crushed.
- Coriandrum sativum is used as a natural insecticide.
- Coriandrum sativum can be used to make a tea that has a calming effect.