Herb · Leafy / Soft Herb
Cilantro
Coriandrum sativum
A fast-growing, cool-season herb grown for its citrusy leaves (cilantro) or, if left to flower and seed, for coriander seed. Bolts quickly once soil warms past about 75°F.
At a glance
Water
Medium
16–28 fl oz/wk
Light
Full sun
4–6 hrs/day
Space
Small
7 in
To maturity
60–75 days
Edible parts: Leaves, Seeds
Family: Carrot
Includes carrots, celery, parsley, and dill. Known for feathery foliage and umbrella-shaped flower clusters.
Harvest
Snip the top 2-3 inches of leafy growth regularly; once the plant bolts, let it flower and dry on the stem to harvest coriander seed.
Growing conditions
- Temperature
- 50–75 °F
- Soil pH
- 6–7.5
- Soil type
- Well-drained, moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter
- Climate
- Cool-season; bolts to seed quickly once soil temperature reaches about 75°F.
- Growing season
- Direct-sow in early spring and again in fall; succession-sow every few weeks for a steady leaf harvest.
- Nitrogen
- Low (≈20–40 ppm)
- Humidity
- Medium (≈40–70 %)
- Planting unit
- Seed
- Feeding schedule
- Light feeding is enough; the bigger challenge is heat causing it to bolt rather than any nutrient deficiency.
- Pest resistance
- High - generally trouble-free, occasional aphids
- Pests
- Aphids: Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth and undersides of leaves, sucking sap and excreting sticky honeydew.
- Pruning
- Succession-sow every few weeks in warm weather rather than relying on one planting, since plants bolt quickly once temperatures rise.
Where it grows
- Container / PotIdeal— 8in+ pot depth for its taproot.
- In-Ground GardenIdeal
- Raised BedIdeal
- HydroponicPossible— Its taproot makes transplanting tricky, but it can work when started directly in a media-bed system.
- WindowsillPossible— Needs bright light and cool temperatures to avoid bolting indoors.
- Vertical / TrellisNot recommended— No climbing or vining habit.
Companions & antagonists
No known companion pairings yet.
Sources
- Cilantro/Coriander in the Garden — Utah State University Extension
- How to Grow Cilantro (Coriander) — Johnny's Selected Seeds