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How to grow cilantro from scraps


10 Vegetables & Herbs You Can Eat Once & Regrow Forever « Food Hacks :: WonderHowTo

There are some ingredients I cook with so often I can never buy too many of them, and most of them are produce. Onions, garlic and fresh herbs are staples in a lot of dishes, and they may be inexpensive, but when you use them on a daily basis it can add up.

Some foods are easy to regrow at home from leftover scraps, and some of them can even be grown right on your kitchen counter. Here are 10 vegetables and herbs you can buy once and regrow forever.

#1. Garlic

When garlic starts to sprout, the little green shoots are too bitter to cook with. Rather than throwing away sprouted cloves, you can put them in a glass with a little water and grow garlic sprouts. The sprouts have a much milder flavor than garlic cloves and are great in salads, pasta and as a garnish.

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Learn more on Simple Daily Recipes.

#2. Carrot Greens

The ends of carrots you usually chop off and throw away will grow carrot greens if you put them in a dish with a little water. Set the dish in a well-lit windowsill and you'll have carrot tops to use as a garnish or in salads.

Image via Fidgety Fingers

Read more details on how to use and grow them on Fidgety Fingers.

#3. Basil

Put a few basil clippings with 4-inch stems in a glass of water and place it in a spot with direct sunlight. When the roots are about 2 inches long, you can plant them in pots to grow a full basil plant.

Image via The Urban Gardener

You can find more details on The Urban Gardener.

#4. Scallions

In as little as 5 days you can completely regrow a full scallion (or green onion) from the scraps. Leave about an inch attached to the roots and place them in a small glass with a little water. In a few days, you'll have all new scallions.

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Learn more on The Kitchn.

#5. Romaine Lettuce

If you have a stem from a head of romaine lettuce that's still intact, place the stump in a bowl with about ½ inch of water and put it on a windowsill. You'll start to see new leaves in about 2 weeks, and they'll be full grown in 3 to 4.

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#6. Bok Choy

Just like romaine lettuce, bok choy can be regrown by placing the root end in water in a well-lit area. In a week or two, you can transplant it to a pot with soil and grow a full new head.

Image via 17 Apart

Read the full instructions with progress photos on 17 Apart.

#7. Onions

Plant the discarded root end from an onion in a pot or directly in the soil outside to regrow. You can harvest it early and get fresh green onions or wait until the bulb is fully developed.

Image by AngryRedhead/Instructables

Find the full tutorial on Instructables.

#8. Ginger

Like onions, ginger root can be planted in soil to regrow, but the process is a lot more lengthy. It can take a few months for it to sprout, and you should be able to harvest a fully grown bulb in 8 to 10 months.

Image via 17 Apart

Read more on 17 Apart.

#9. Mushrooms

Plant mushroom stalks in soil with some compost or used coffee grounds and keep them in a moist environment, preferably where it will be cool at night. They can be tricky to grow, and within a few days the stems will either start to sprout new heads or rot.

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More details on Earth911.

#10. Cilantro

Like basil, cilantro can grow roots if the stems are placed in a glass of water. Once the roots are long enough, just plant them in a pot. In a few weeks new sprigs will be starting, and in a few months you'll have a full plant.

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How to grow cilantro | Homes & Gardens

(Image credit: Future)

If you’re a keen cook, then you should learn how to grow cilantro – also known as coriander – as it is one of the most widely used herbs in the world. It is also one of the oldest, and many ancient cultures valued cilantro for both its complex flavor and perceived medicinal properties.

See: Kitchen garden ideas – easy ways to get started

Cilantro is a hugely versatile herb, as every part of the plant can be utilized for cooking – so learning how to grow cilantro will enable you to harvest the whole crop, from root to flower. ‘Growing in close proximity to the kitchen you can taste a plant at all stages of its development: cilantro’s leaves, flowers, green seeds, and dry seeds all taste very different,’ says three-Michelin starred chef Mauro Colagreco in The Garden Chef .

Once you know how to grow cilantro successfully, it will quickly become a staple ingredient in everything from salads and sauces to soups and curries.

How to grow cilantro from seed

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Learning how to grow cilantro from seed is the best way to ensure a reliable, quick crop. But you need to sow your seeds at the right time, as cilantro doesn’t thrive in the high heat of summer, when it will prematurely ‘bolt’ and go to seed.

‘The secret with all cilantro seed is to sow little and often in early spring and fall, but not in the hot, dry months,’ says Judith Hann, author of Herbs: Delicious Recipes and Growing Tips to Transform Your Food .

‘As cilantro hates to be transplanted, sow the seeds directly into garden soil where you want the herb to grow. Choose a light soil that has been nourished with manure or compost in advance, so that it will not dry out in the summer and encourage the plant to bolt.' Well-drained neutral to acid soil is best.

Succession planting is key to growing a constant supply of cilantro. 'If grown for leaves it is best to treat it like lettuce and sow a small amount every few weeks to keep a constant succession of fresh foliage,’ says celebrity gardener Monty Don in his blog .

Popular cilantro seed varieties include Lemon and Leisure, but if you live in a hot climate it's worth choosing a variety that is slow to bolt, such as Calypso or Santos.

See: Small vegetable garden ideas – grow your own, even in a tiny space

How to harvest cilantro

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Once you've mastered how to grow cilantro, you need to know how to harvest it. The whole plant is edible, and needs harvesting at different times in order to get the most out of it.

The leaves and stems of cilantro are widely used in salads and as a garnish to curries, soups, meat and fish. Their flavor is delightfully citrusy and slightly peppery, but this is diminished through cooking, so add prior to serving.

Harvest the leaves in the morning or evening, when they are fresh and verdant, and before the plant starts flowering, which affects the taste. Use sharp scissors or a small knife to remove the stems.

Cilantro’s edible seeds are commonly known as coriander, and are wonderfully aromatic. ‘The dried seeds have a warm, spicy, citrus flavor and can be used whole, crushed in a pestle and mortar, lightly toasted or dry-fried in a pan to release their aroma and enhance their pungent spiciness, or ground to a fine powder,’ says Vicki Edgson in Amazing Edible Seeds .

You can harvest coriander seeds when they are young and green, or wait until they turn brown – both have a unique flavor, so why not experiment? Pick green seeds directly from the plant, or to harvest brown seeds, hang the flower heads upside down in a paper bag and wait for them to fall off naturally.

Delicate and lacy, cilantro flowers have a milder taste than the leaves, so work well in dishes where their subtle flavor won’t overpower. Harvest them in the morning or evening, once they have fully flowered but before they start to die. Add them at the end of cooking or as a garnish.

Even the roots of cilantro can be used for cooking. ‘Few people know that the root is edible and delicious. Its earthy flavour is a mix of the leaf and seed,’ says Judith Hann. ‘Roots should be finely chopped and added to soups, stews and curries.’

Read on to find out how to grow cilantro indoors or in pots.

How to grow cilantro indoors

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If you don't have a garden, then you need to know how to grow cilantro indoors. All you require is a bright windowsill and a generous sized pot. 

The plants will need full sunlight for at least four hours a day, but if you can’t provide this naturally, then you could invest in a growing light.

As indoor-grown cilantro will be in pots, the plants won’t have access to as much root space or soil nutrients as they would outside. Therefore, the pot needs to be a good size, with drainage holes. The cilantro will also benefit from an occasional feed with liquid fertilizer.

When growing cilantro indoors, the soil’s moisture level is key, so regularly check to make sure it is still damp. Avoid overwatering, and water only when the soil starts to feel slightly dry.

How to grow cilantro in pots

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It's worth learning how to grow cilantro in pots if you want to create a patio herb garden. As cilantro plants are sensitive to the high summer sun, you can move them into the shade during periods of intense heat.

You will need a large, deep container of at least eight inches diameter, and it's important not to skimp on the size. 'In a small pot of soil there will be little space for the tap root and the herb will produce few leaves before it flowers and goes to seed,' says Hann.

You only need to sow about three seeds in the pot, and thin out the weaker seedlings as they grow. Keep the soil moist, and don't let it dry out.

How to grow cilantro from cuttings 

(Image credit: Tomasz Olszewski/Unsplash)

If you're struggling with how to grow cilantro from seed, then it's worth trying to grow the plant from cuttings.

When a recipe just calls for cilantro leaves, save 10-15 of the stems, and trim them to about three inches in length. You will find the new plants will grow much more quickly if the roots are still attached, but this trick also works with stem cuttings.

Insert the cuttings, spaced about three inches apart, into well-draining potting compost, then position in a partially sunny spot. Keep the soil moist, and after a few weeks your cuttings should have rooted and they can be grown on like regular plants.

Alternatively, you can place stem cuttings into a glass of water. When the plant has grown roots of at least an inch, you can transfer the cuttings to a pot.

Is cilantro a perennial?

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If you're putting in the effort to learn how to grow cilantro, then it's natural to seek out a perennial variety. However, cilantro is an annual herb, which means you will need to plant it in succession to extend the cropping season. In mild climates, cilantro can often survive into winter.

The good news is that cilantro does self-seed, so if you let some of the plants run their course – flowering then going to seed – you should get new seedlings in the spring.

If you're only interested in how to grow cilantro as a perennial, then consider growing culantro instead. It is a tropical tender perennial herb that has a similar – albeit much stronger – aroma and flavor to cilantro, and is best added during cooking.

Culantro is widely used in the Caribbean, and also in Puerto Rican, West Indian, and Asian cuisine.

The plant's leaves look completely different to cilantro's parsley-like greenery, as they are long and saw-edged. Culantro is a great choice for growing in a shady garden, where it is less likely to bolt.

See: Companion planting – your ultimate guide

How to maintain a cilantro plant

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Maintaining a cilantro plant is usually straightforward. As long as it is planted in neutral to acidic well-draining soil, and not grown in the high heat of summer, then you will be off to a good start.

Simply keep the soil moist – but not waterlogged. Cilantro doesn't rely on fertilizing, but can benefit from an occasional light liquid feed.

When understanding how to grow cilantro, preventing it from bolting is usually the biggest concern. This tends to stem from growing it in the wrong conditions.

If planted in pots, move cilantro to a shadier spot in hot weather, which will reduce bolting.

See: How to grow rosemary – from cuttings and seed

Avoid transplanting cilantro where possible, as it doesn't like its roots being disturbed. Where necessary, gather plenty of soil around the roots and don't over-handle them.

The main pests affecting cilantro are slugs and snails, which can be minimized through barriers and biocontrols. Aphids and whitefly can also be problematic, so keep an eye out and use natural repellents where present.

Mildew or damping off can also affect cilantro. These issues are best managed by avoiding overcrowding and overwatering.

Most problems are easily solved, so don't let them put you off learning how to grow cilantro.

As editor of Period Living, Britain's best-selling period homes magazine, Melanie loves the charm of older properties. I live in a rural village just outside the Cotswolds in England, so am lucky to be surrounded by beautiful homes and countryside, where I enjoy exploring. Having worked in the industry for almost two decades, Melanie is interested in all aspects of homes and gardens. Her previous roles include working on Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating, and she has also contributed to Gardening Etc. She has an English degree and has also studied interior design. Melanie frequently writes for Homes & Gardens about property restoration and gardening.

Growing cilantro outdoors and at home + Video

All kitchen workers know a wonderful spicy seasoning called coriander. Coriander comes from the cilantro plant. How to grow and care for her is the topic of our article. After studying it, you can easily understand how to grow cilantro right at home, no longer spending money on buying coriander in a store.

Contents

A little about cilantro

Like the famous spicy carrot, cilantro (coriander) became known thanks to Korean gardeners and cooks. In Korea, weed is said to prolong life. And this fact has been known for more than five thousand years! It's worth listening. Moreover, growing it is not a difficult process at all, and you can grow it both on open ground in a garden in a country house and at home.

Possessing a rather pleasant aroma, the heroine of our article is an annual plant belonging to the Umbelliferae. Not only seeds are fragrant, but also greens, because it is also used, both dried and fresh. Outwardly, cilantro is also pretty, so it may well serve as a simple decoration for your windowsill.

The technology of working with cilantro divides the cultivation into two stages. Before the seeds ripen, grass is grown for the sake of greenery (actually, cilantro). And when the seeds are ripe, they focus on getting coriander.

Growing cilantro in the dacha

First of all, we select a place in the dacha that is well lit and free from drafts. Can also be planted in partial shade. So that the plant does not get wet before it ripens, you should not plant it in hollows, but best of all - on a flat or elevated area.

To keep the soil as suitable and nutritious as possible, it is carefully loosened and fertilized in the same process. One square meter of such an area will require a nutrient mixture consisting of half a bucket of humus, which should be mixed with fresh wood ash (in a small amount). Those who prefer mineral fertilizers should take care of fertilizing the soil with them even at the stage of loosening the soil. One square meter will require 20-30 grams of fertilizer.

You can sow cilantro seeds at home any day at all

You can grow cilantro outdoors only during warm periods of the year, especially if it happens outside the home. Planting does not require special agrotechnical knowledge, especially considering that the plant often spreads even without the help of people. At home, you can sow cilantro seeds at all any day. Coriander seeds should fall into already moist soil. If it is not important for you personally to sow grass in rows, you can do it randomly. At the end, sprinkle the seeds with a thin layer of soil.

When the first sprouts appear, the cilantro is thinned so that only the strongest coriander sprouts continue to grow. The recommended distance is approximately 7 centimeters.

Growing spices at home

Many lovers of delicious food ask how to grow cilantro at home. And here's how it happens at home:

As soon as cotyledon leaves are found on the sprouts, remove the film

Of course, coriander can also be planted in small containers, pots. For one such pot, two seeds are used. It is very easy to plant, since the seeds are quite large.

Alternatively, a real one can be used instead of a pseudo greenhouse. Sowing in this case can be started by the end of winter, and the first shoots may appear after 2 weeks. Flowering sprouts will be found in forty days, and if planting begins in May or summer, this period can be halved. Growing cilantro at home is therefore somewhat slower than growing inside a greenhouse.

There are also a couple of additional conditions for greenhouse cultivation:

Sowing in this case can be started by the end of winter, and the first shoots can appear after 2 weeks

Rules for the care of a growing crop

Water your green pets in a timely and regular manner. It is enough to do this only twice a week, the main thing is to keep the rhythm, pouring on each square. meter for 5 liters of water. Watering is especially important for sprouts during the growing season. Watering is halved in volume as soon as the fruit ripens.

What if you can't water cilantro so regularly? For example, it may not be at home, but at their summer cottage. In this case, you need to mulch the soil so that moisture lingers in it longer.

Once again we emphasize the importance of proper illumination of the sown area.

Spicy fragrant greens are obtained only with good access to sunlight.

Although more or less it can be replaced by a day one - from lapm, which is especially important if coriander grows at home.

Harvesting

So, you have already figured out how to grow cilantro on your plot or in your home, and have used our recommendations. It's time to harvest!

Grass is best cut in the early morning hours

The technology of growing cilantro for seeds at home and in summer cottages is one of the central places, so we will focus your attention on a couple of important details. Firstly, the collection of seeds occurs when more than half of the umbrellas have already turned brown. Secondly, the collected is carefully filtered from foreign seeds and fragments of twigs, dried well, and then stored in a dry sealed glass container.

Now you know exactly how easy it is to grow cilantro, also known as coriander, at home or in the garden, and have familiarized yourself with all the subtleties of this process. A few weeks and you will no longer have to spend money on making your food tastier and healthier!

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Cilantro - growing from seeds through seedlings and sowing in open ground + Video

and health supplement in our diet. Therefore, it is worth learning how to grow cilantro from seeds in order to get both vitamin greens and fragrant coriander to the table.

Maintenance

Growing conditions

Initially, cilantro in the form of greens and its seeds (coriander) were more often used in Asian and Caucasian national dishes. It was the characteristic smell of this spice that gave a special taste to the familiar kharcho soup, kebab and lamb skewers. Now coriander is in almost every kitchen, but the green part of this plant is not used so often. Correcting such an omission is not difficult, you just have to master the cultivation of cilantro on your own plot or even on the balcony of city apartments. And in order for such an undertaking to be successful and bring a harvest, you first need to familiarize yourself with the features of this culture.

Cilantro or coriander as garden greens is convenient because it grows well both in sunny areas and in partial shade. Growing up, the plant forms compact bushes with beautiful carved leaves resembling parsley. And cilantro repels many pests with its aroma, so its proximity to other cultures can be useful. All these arguments suggest that there is certainly a place for this fragrant spice even in the smallest area. In addition, the decorativeness of the plant allows its cultivation both in flowerpots and in flower beds.

The future harvest directly depends on the structure and quality of the soil. But after carrots, late cabbage varieties and spicy herbs such as anise, fennel, celery, parsnips and parsley, planting coriander is not recommended, since the soil no longer contains the substances necessary for its development.

Experienced gardeners report good results when cilantro grows next to cucumbers, lettuce, onions and carrots, so it can be used as a compactor in such plantings.

The future harvest directly depends on the structure and quality of the soil. Seed coriander grows well on loose, humus-rich soils, so the garden bed must be fertilized before planting. It is better to do this in the fall, introducing manure for digging, bird droppings diluted in water, rotted compost, or using complex mineral preparations. During the winter, fertilizers are evenly distributed in the soil, which will also be facilitated by spring snowmelt.

Heavy clay soil is not at all suitable for growing cilantro from seed. Such soils are usually poor in nutrient content, they have poor air and moisture permeability, which often causes water stagnation, leading to the death of the root system.

Remember, when improving the quality of the land, limit the application of peat, which can unnecessarily increase the level of acidity and make it unsuitable for growing coriander.

To maximize the season of fresh herbs, cilantro is sown in several stages with breaks of 10-15 days or use seeds of varieties with different growing seasons.

Sowing and cultivation

Given that cilantro is quite cold-resistant, it can be sown from April, as soon as the snow melts and the ground thaws. In this case, you will pick the first lettuce leaves at the beginning of summer. It will be possible to get a crop of fragrant greens even earlier if you plant rosettes through seedlings. To do this, in February, several seeds are sown in cups or boxes and grown at home on the windowsill. And with the onset of spring, seedlings are planted in a greenhouse or simply in open ground. But it should be noted that growing in greenhouses allows you to feast on delicious shish kebab with spicy cilantro by the May holidays.

To speed up the germination of seeds, it is recommended to soak them for several hours before sowing. along the paths.

Taking into account the recommended sowing rate, holes or grooves are made in the prepared area, no more than 2 cm deep and with a distance of about 15 cm between them. If the soil is dry, be sure to spill the holes, wait until the water is absorbed, and then sow. And to speed up the germination of seeds, it is recommended to soak them for several hours before sowing.

The first green sprouts, as a rule, appear no earlier than in two weeks, but in most cases, cilantro sprouts simultaneously and amicably. Growing outlets need regular watering, especially in the early stages and in the absence of precipitation. It is also important to weed out the weeds in a timely manner, and after watering, loosen the ground around the bushes so that a crust does not form, preventing air from reaching the roots.

Harvesting and harvesting for the future

In a month, the first young leaves with an amazing aroma and a whole set of vitamins will be ready for use. This herb is used in fresh salads, side dishes, in the preparation of meat and fish dishes. Cilantro with a spicy smell adds a special flavor to soups. Chopped leaves give sauces and marinade a specific, "oriental" character.

When cutting herbs for fresh use, leave a few rosettes of cilantro for seeds. Around the middle of summer, the bush will kick out the arrow and bloom, and by August, fruits will form on the umbrella. After their full maturation, up to a handful of seeds can be obtained from each plant. After harvesting, they must be dried and used whole or with a hammer in the preparation of your favorite dishes.

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