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How to grow cilantro at home


How to Grow Cilantro Plants

When growing cilantro, you get two appetizing herbs for the price of one: the plant itself is coriander (you may think of it as a spice or seed), and the green leaves and stems are considered cilantro. The leaves, also referred to as Chinese Parsley, are by far the most versatile part of the plant. Many dressings, soups, dips, sides, and meat dishes incorporate this green herb for an instant flavor lift. If you find yourself cooking recipes that call for cilantro or simply like to keep fresh herbs on hand, growing cilantro at home is a smart — not to mention, delicious — investment.

How to Grow Cilantro From Seed

Find a container measuring at least 8 inches deep, or a spare lot of land. Prepare the soil by working compost or organic matter at least 18 inches deep, and then rake smooth. In late spring or fall (before or after the extreme heat hits), plant cilantro seeds 1/4-inch deep and space plants 6 to 8 inches apart. Water the plants well and often, and feed them with a nitrogen fertilizer once they hit 2 inches in height.

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Plants will bolt as soon as the days get longer and the temperatures rise, so make sure they're in a spot with full sun or partial shade, if you live in a particularly hot climate. If there is any danger of frost, protect your cilantro plants with row covers. After about 50 to 55 days, the plant should be at least 6 inches tall and you can start picking the leaves. When harvesting, pick leaves one by one or cut 1/3 of the way down with kitchen or pruning shears, so that the remaining plant can continue to produce cilantro. Cilantro is a short-lived herb, so harvest the leaves once a week to avoid bolting a.k.a. developing seed. Once seeds develop, they'll self-sow, causing little plants to pop up during the current or following season.

Bonus: If you plant cilantro in pots, you can move them indoors when the weather cools down to harvest more fresh herbs (if you time it right, of course).

Follow these tips to ensure that you properly care for your cilantro plant:

How to Store and Use Harvested Cilantro

After your plant bolts, collect any visible coriander seeds and crush them for cooking or baking. If you'd rather save the seeds for another planting, gently crush the coriander seeds to crack the shell and soak them in water overnight. Let the seeds dry completely and plant next season.

Your bounty of cilantro leaves, however, are best when fresh, and should be used at the end of cooking for full flavor. Wrap damp paper towels around fresh cilantro and store in the refrigerator to lengthen it's shelf-life. If you can't eat all the cilantro before it turns, trim the individual leaves and stick 'em in a freezer-safe bag before storing in the freezer. For specific measurements, cut the cilantro and store them in an ice cube tray in the freezer. The rest is up to you: Throw it in vinaigrettes, make your own guac, or dress up a basic chicken dish.

What You Need to Grow and Maintain Cilantro
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Amanda Garrity

Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more. 

Indoor Care & Growing Guide

By

Jon VanZile

Jon VanZile

Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener who wrote content for The Spruce for over a decade. He is the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home," and his writing has also appeared in the Chicago Tribune, and Better Homes & Gardens, among others. Jon began collecting plants over 10 years ago and he maintains a growing collection of rare and tropical plants.

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Updated on 02/25/22

Reviewed by

Mary Marlowe Leverette

Reviewed by Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.

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The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

In This Article

Coriandrum sativum, known as either coriander or cilantro, is a delicious herb to eat but a fickle plant to grow. Coriandrum sativum can be grown outside in a garden or indoors in containers. Once it sprouts, the race is on to harvest leaves before the plant flowers and the flavor profile changes. Growing it indoors helps with this process, as you simply snip off what you need as you prepare meals. Expect your cilantro plant to live only for a couple of months before it flowers, at which point it becomes useless as a culinary plant.

How to Grow Cilantro (Coriander)

Botanical Name Coriandrum sativum
Common Name Cilantro, coriander
Plant Type Annual herb
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida The Spruce / Leticia Almeida The Spruce / Leticia Almeida 

Can You Grow Cilantro Inside?

Cilantro is a fast-growing but short-lived plant that is ready to harvest in just three or four weeks. Cilantro is very easy to grow indoors; simply provide it with adequate water and indirect sunlight. Pinch off the leaves regularly for culinary use to extend the life of the plant.

How to Grow Cilantro Indoors

Sunlight

Cilantro likes bright indirect light but dislikes intense, direct sunlight. The best option for container gardens is morning sun in an east-facing window or a very bright sill that doesn't get too much direct sun.

Temperature and Humidity

Cilantro bolts easily, especially in warm weather. Once cilantro bolts, the flavor changes, often becoming bitter. With potted plants, you can extend the harvest season by keeping the plants around 70 degrees and bringing them indoors to an air-conditioned environment when outdoor temperatures get warm.

Watering

Keep the soil regularly moist, but not soaked. Good drainage is essential, as cilantro has deep roots. Aim for about one inch of water per week.

Fertilizer

Use a liquid fertilizer or supplement the soil with controlled-release pellets. For organic cilantro, use organic fertilizer or fortify the soil with compost. Feed the herb once a month.

Pruning and Maintenance


As the young plants grow, periodically pinch back them by about one inch to encourage fuller plants. To extend your cilantro harvest, regularly snip soft stems, rotating the plant as you harvest to encompass the whole plant.  

Container and Size

Cilantro needs a pot that is deep enough for it to take root; look for a pot at least 12 inches in depth and about 18 inches wide. A plastic pot will help hold water and keep the plant moist, feeding its desire for humid surroundings.

Potting Soil and Drainage

Cilantro does best in airy, light, fast-draining soil with plenty of perlite or sharp sand mixed in to increase drainage. In a container, use a premium potting mix rather than garden soil, which is too heavy.

Potting and Repotting Cilantro

Cilantro is an annual that grows with a deep taproot. As a result, it dislikes repotting and will often bolt at the slightest provocation. It's best to repot your garden-center cilantro only once after bringing it home, then keep the plant in that container for the rest of its life.

Seed-grown cilantro can transition from your seed-starting pot to its permanent home pot. Because cilantro is an annual, mature plants should never need repotting. A fully mature flowering cilantro plant can hit a height of 24 inches, including flower stalks.

Moving Cilantro Outdoors for the Summer

If you move cilantro outdoors, it should not be during the summer. Move it during the spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate.

Considerations

When moving cilantro outdoors, remember to keep it in a shaded area and take it outside only when there are moderate temperatures of about 70 degrees. Temperatures too high will make cilantro bolt. Pay attention to the rainfall; water cilantro only if there isn't enough rain during any given week.

When to Bring Cilantro Back Indoors

Pay close attention to the temperature. When it begins to dip into the 60s or rise into the 80s, it's time to bring cilantro back inside to an air-conditioned space.

FAQ

Article Sources

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  1. The Cilantro-Coriander Connection. Clemson University Home and Garden Information Center

Cilantro on the windowsill

Author Biomaster Reading 5 min Published

Cilantro grows beautifully on the windowsill and gives fragrant greenery, so loved by many. Its peculiar taste is not like any other spice. How to grow cilantro at home, read the article.

Contents of the page

Cilantro or coriander?

Botanical name - Creeping coriander. This name is common in Europe and its origin is Greek. The word kinza (kindza) is borrowed from the Georgian language. In different countries, this plant is called - kishnets, kolandra, kuzbara, etc. nine0005

Intended homeland - Eastern Mediterranean. Even in ancient times, coriander spread to adjacent territories. Its seeds have been found in the pyramids of Egypt dating back to the second millennium BC, it is mentioned in the Old Testament.

Each region developed its own varieties. In addition, the traditional use of this ancient cultivated plant in cooking and medicine developed. So, in Georgia, Armenia, both the green part and the fruits are loved, in other areas they prefer seeds. The spicy taste of cilantro is due to the essential oils in all parts of the plant, but they are chemically different, so the taste of the leaves is very different from the taste of the seeds. The content of other plant components that also affect taste sensations - oils, vitamins, acids, tannins, resins, sugars in percentage terms is very different in coriander, which grows in different countries. How to grow other herbs at home read in article .

Growing conditions

Tank

Growing cilantro at home is not difficult.

Capacities are selected plastic, ceramic, any size.

Medium pot (15-20 cm) fits 2-3 bushes. In large containers, the distance between plants must be at least 7 cm.

Drainage is essential - water must easily pass through all layers.

Lighting

Prefers indirect light, but can withstand direct sunlight. In summer, the southern, western and eastern windows are provided with natural light. In winter, at home, they are illuminated with fluorescent lamps and LEDs. nine0005

Temperature

Not sensitive to temperature. Withstands significant temperature fluctuations. Seeds can germinate even at 6°C. When it rises - about 30 ° C and above, the rapid formation of peduncles begins.

Moderate room temperature is great for growing cilantro.

Watering

Watering abundantly, especially when the plant is on the southern windows with bright sunlight.

Soil and fertilizer

The soil mixture is made light and fertile, pH 6.5-7.5. A mixture of soddy soil, humus, sand, coconut fiber (peat) in equal proportions is well suited. A common reason for growing failure is too acidic soil, which has a lot of peat. When using purchased soil, special attention should be paid to its acidity.

Feeding is not necessary if the soil is fertile, as cilantro has a short growing season and there are enough nutrients for its development. If there are doubts about the quality of the soil, they are fed with complex mineral fertilizers with a high nitrogen content to build up green mass 2-3 weeks after germination. Fertilizers should be dominated by phosphorus and potassium at the stage of seed ripening. nine0005

The process of growing cilantro

For sowing, fresh seeds are taken and sown immediately in a permanent place: cilantro does not tolerate transplantation. Seeds are planted to a depth of 1-2 cm, 2-3 seeds are placed in each hole. The distance between the holes is 7-10 cm. Cover with a transparent covering material to increase humidity.

Seedlings appear in the open field in 2-3 weeks, and even faster at home. When the seedlings grow a little, the weak ones are removed, leaving 1 plant in each hole. The soil is kept constantly moist - watered abundantly, and as soon as the top layer begins to dry out, water again. High-quality tender greens are obtained with sufficient moisture, otherwise the leaves will be rough, and the taste will become worse. It is mainly consumed fresh, because when dried, the taste becomes completely different. nine0005

Leaves begin to be harvested after 30-50 days (depending on the variety), when the plants reach a height of 15-20 cm. Harvesting is carried out in three ways: the leaves are stripped, the rosette is cut off before the stalking phase, or the plant is pulled out of the ground along with the root. Regular removal of flower arrows slightly prolongs the collection of greenery. A change in taste and stiffness becomes a signal of the unsuitability of cilantro for food.

Seeds mature in 90-120 days: their color turns brown and they fall off heavily. At home, it is easy to adapt to their collection, but you can do otherwise, as is customary on an industrial scale. The fruits are harvested at the stage of wax ripeness, laid out in the shade and dried for 2 weeks. During this time, full ripening occurs and they can be planted again. nine0005

Coriander has a short growing season during which the greens are obtained, and crops are planted every 2-3 weeks to ensure regular supply. In winter, they must be artificially illuminated, otherwise they will stretch out and develop slowly.

Best cultivars for growing

Varietal cilantro is cultivated indoors.

The plant quickly develops flower arrows, after which the greens become unusable. Therefore, breeders purposefully breed varieties whose cultivation is intended to obtain green mass, which increases this process in time. In addition, the leaves should retain tenderness and aroma for as long as possible, and there should be a lot of them. Varieties Pervenets, Venus, Eva, Caribe fully meet these requirements. nine0005

Varieties such as Ararat, Venus give a high yield of greenery, endure low temperatures and therefore they can be sown on cold windows, loggias and balconies.

Industrial varieties (Alekseevsky and others) used to obtain seeds in the open field grow worse at home than vegetable varieties. They quickly give seeds, and you can grow them outside the window in the summer.

Cilantro on the windowsill will not only decorate the interior, but will also be a storehouse of the maximum content of nutrients in ideal proportions when freshly picked. nine0005

How to grow from seeds, landing and care

Content

Growing cilantro from seed at home on a windowsill is becoming more and more popular. This makes it possible in winter to have fresh herbs and a whole range of useful substances necessary for the human body. Cilantro is a unique seasoning used in cooking in different countries. Has several names. Among them are coriander, calender, hamem, Chinese parsley, chilantro. Latin - Coriandrum sativum. The only caveat is that the greens of the plant are called cilantro, and the seeds are called coriander. nine0005

Is it possible to grow cilantro on a windowsill?

This popular herb is traditionally grown by gardeners. However, any vegetable grower can easily grow cilantro from seed on a windowsill. It is only necessary to provide appropriate care and competently sow the culture. The taste and aroma of cilantro greens will be the same as when sowing in open ground. This is an annual crop, so the agricultural technique of growing greens on the windowsill cannot be called complicated.

Lush bush of spicy greens grown on the windowsill serves as a source of nutrients in winter

How to grow cilantro at home on a windowsill

There are two main methods that will give the same result. Cilantro on the windowsill is grown in a pot. It is convenient and practical. You can collect ripened seeds or cut green sprouts.

Coriander is harvested in two ways:

  1. By sowing seeds. This is a variant of seedless technology. Cilantro seeds need to be sown in a container and provide them with the proper conditions. The process is longer, but it is more reliable. It is important to sow high-quality cilantro seeds, then follow all the requirements of agricultural technology. nine0088
  2. Growth of hydroponic plants. Planting material can be bought in the distribution network. The advantage of the method is time, and the disadvantage is the poor survival of greenery, because cilantro reacts with a strong decrease in growth during transplantation.

Important! Sowing cilantro seeds at a certain interval, you can provide yourself with greenery throughout the winter period.

Experienced farmers advise to adhere to the sequence of sowing greens 1 time in 12-14 days. There are also basic steps and rules for growing cilantro on the windowsill. nine0005

Preparing the soil and planting container

In order for the culture to feel comfortable and develop well on the windowsill, it is necessary to pay attention to the choice of containers. The root system of coriander is large and powerful. She takes up a lot of space and doesn't like transplanting. This is due to the very small number of adventitious roots. Injury to the main root leads to the death of the plant. Therefore, a pot for growing greens should be chosen taking into account these nuances. Capacity must be:

  1. Rectangular. The width of the flowerpot is not more than 25-30 cm, the depth is more than 40 cm. Such parameters will allow the gardener to place it on the windowsill with the most beneficial use of space. The size of the pot depends on the amount of greens grown.
  2. From a certain substance. Another important requirement for capacity is the ability of the material to “breathe”. Ceramic, plastic, wood or clay without enamel are suitable.
  3. As required. The pot must be equipped with drainage holes to avoid moisture stagnation. nine0088

Important! When using a plastic pot on the windowsill, the frequency of loosening should be increased.

For sowing it is allowed to use an ordinary flower pot with drainage holes

Now for the right choice of substrate. For cilantro, you will need a loamy or sandy loamy soil of a loose structure. You can buy this soil mixture for greenery at the store or cook it yourself. It is enough to mix garden soil with compost or humus, peat and sand in equal amounts. Add 3 tablespoons of wood ash for every kilogram of the mixture. Warm the soil in the oven or spill it with a solution of potassium permanganate. Then use to grow cilantro greens on a windowsill. nine0005

Preparation of planting material

For sowing greens, you need to purchase only fresh cilantro seeds. This is due to the fact that they quickly lose their germination. Sowing material three years ago, you can not wait for the appearance of sprouts. It is better to purchase it in specialized stores where they sell high-quality seeds.

The spice department sells heat-treated coriander seeds. If you decide to collect cilantro seeds yourself, then it is important to give them time to ripen well. nine0005

Dry cilantro seeds should be sown. Some farmers advise soaking planting material for 15 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate to prevent diseases. To improve seedling quality, you can soak cilantro seeds for 2 hours in plain water.

It is better to sort out cilantro seeds before sowing in order to leave the largest ones. But it still has its subtleties. The main stages of growing greens on the windowsill:

  1. Lay a drainage layer on the bottom of the container.
  2. Fill the cilantro container with the prepared soil and moisten it slightly. The distance from the edge of the pot to the surface should be at least 2-4 cm. This will allow you to add soil as needed.
  3. Plant cilantro seeds with a sowing depth of 0.5-1.5 cm. There are several planting options. You can put from 3 to 10 seeds in one pot with a distance of about 7-10 cm between them. It is very convenient to arrange them in a spiral. The second way is a few cilantro seeds in one hole in the middle of the pot. Get a lush bush of greenery. If you sow cilantro in a container or box, then it is better in rows. The distance between the grooves is 5-7 cm, between the seeds is 1.5 cm. If necessary, cilantro seedlings can always be thinned out. nine0088
  4. Sprinkle a thin layer of sifted peat on top and moisten.
  5. Cover container with film or glass and keep in a dark place.
  6. Moisten the soil periodically.
  7. Open the film to remove condensation and ventilate the mini greenhouse.

The first cilantro sprouts will appear on the windowsill in 10-14 days. The film must immediately be removed and the containers transferred to the light.

Caring for cilantro at home on the windowsill

As soon as tiny loops of sprouts appear, competent care is required immediately. It consists of:

It is important to create comfortable conditions for the growth and development of crops on the windowsill.

Optimal conditions for growing cilantro on a windowsill

Cilantro can grow on a windowsill all year round. To do this, you need to take care of the environment appropriate for the culture. The main requirements without which a good coriander crop cannot be obtained:

  1. Ambient temperature. For culture, a value of at least + 15 ° C should be maintained. The top should not exceed + 30 ° C, otherwise the plant will begin to form flower stalks very quickly. In this case, there will be almost no greenery. Room temperature is ideal for cilantro.
  2. Humidity. The average value is the most optimal. In dry air, the plant looks oppressed, slows down growth. High humidity leads to rot and fungal infections on cilantro seedlings. Therefore, you should not put the pot on the windowsill above the heaters. It is also required to avoid places where there are drafts. nine0088
  3. Lighting. Diffused light works best, although cilantro can withstand direct sunlight well. If the containers are on the windowsill of the south, east or west window, then there will be enough lighting. It is not recommended to put plants on the northern windows. Cilantro needs light for 10-12 hours. Minimum 6-8 hours. In winter and on dimly lit window sills, additional cilantro lighting or backlighting will be needed.

Important! Every day you need to turn the plant so that it develops evenly. nine0005

If cilantro lacks light or moisture, then the bush will grow weakly

Watering

A specific watering algorithm has been developed for cilantro. From the moment of sowing seeds until the appearance of the first leaf, it should be plentiful. Then the intensity needs to be reduced and the soil should be moistened moderately for 1-1.5 weeks. As soon as the period of active vegetation of cilantro comes, you can again switch to abundant watering. If it is required that cilantro seeds ripen on the bush, then at the time of their ripening again reduce the amount of moisture. It is important not to let the soil dry out and to maintain the rhythm of watering. After 15 minutes after irrigation, it is advisable to drain the excess water to avoid the development of powdery mildew. On hot days with increased dryness of the air, you need to spray the leaves with warm water. nine0005

Top dressing

When growing cilantro on a windowsill, it is necessary to fertilize the soil. The frequency of feeding is 1 time in 14 days. It is optimal to use complex mineral compounds and prepare the solution strictly according to the instructions. You need to start feeding the sprouts after the formation of the outlet. It is possible to replace chemical compositions with biocomplexes. In this case, be sure to combine any top dressing with watering. For the active growth of greenery, complexes with a high content of N (nitrogen) are required. When ripe cilantro seeds - phosphorus and potassium. Too zealous with the nutrition of cilantro on the windowsill is not recommended. Feeding once every 2-3 weeks is enough. nine0005

In addition to watering and feeding, when growing cilantro from seeds on a windowsill, other important procedures must be followed:

  1. Thinning. It is not always possible to accurately calculate the number of plants per pot volume. To get lush green cilantro, you need to thin out seedlings in a timely manner. Too dense sowing will lead to a lack of green mass and forcing of peduncles. Plants on the windowsill will have to compete for light, water and food. The first thinning is necessary at the stage of 1-2 true leaves. Of several nearby cilantro seedlings, one should be left the most developed and strong. For the normal development of one bush, 35 square meters are required. m area. nine0088
  2. Weeding is another necessary condition. There should be no weeds around the plant that reduce the intensity of green growth. This event also reduces the possibility of diseases and pests of cilantro.
  3. Loosening prevents an increase in soil density. Cilantro loves loose soil, especially when grown on a windowsill.
  4. Pinch off flower stalks if seeds are not needed. Then the cilantro greens will be much more magnificent.
  5. Cut. No need to cut the stems at the root, just cut off the leaves of cilantro and eat. nine0088

In general, the process of caring for a plant on the windowsill is not considered difficult.

Thinning allows cilantro seedlings to get enough light and nutrition

Useful tips

In addition to the generally accepted rules for growing cilantro on the windowsill, gardeners know some secrets and tricks. This allows you to get high-quality results faster and without much effort. For example:

  1. Cilantro should be sown constantly at intervals of a month. Thus, fresh herbs will be on the table all year round. nine0088
  2. The soil can be reused by adding a little compost and disinfecting it in any convenient way.
  3. Do not dry cilantro greens. She will not please with either taste or smell.

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