Tips For Growing Cilantro

Cilantro is a versatile, fast-growing annual herb prized in kitchens around the world for its bright, citrusy flavor and aromatic leaves. Unlike many leafy herbs, cilantro offers dual uses: tender, flavorful foliage for fresh use in salsas, curries, and sauces, and later on, aromatic seeds known as coriander that are prized as a spice. It’s a staple in Mexican, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisines, bringing garden-fresh complexity to everything from tacos to chutneys.

Native to the Mediterranean Basin and parts of Western Asia and Northern Africa, cilantro has been cultivated for thousands of years and adapts well to a range of garden settings, from in-ground beds to containers on sunny patios. This cool-season herb thrives in moderate climates, prefers well-drained soil, consistent moisture, and bright sunshine. It grows best when temperatures stay between roughly 50–85°F (10–29°C).

Cilantro is easy to grow from seed for beginners, though gardeners are often confined to growing in the cooler seasons to avoid premature bolting (flowering and seed set) in warmer weather. For anyone starting a vegetable garden, especially those who enjoy international fare, cilantro is definitely a must-grow herb.

Quick Cilantro Facts

What Is Cilantro?

The cilantro plant, as mentioned above, offers two harvests. First, its leaves, which resemble flat leaf parsley and for which it’s often mistaken, are the part of the plant used in culinary applications. Wait for the plant to come into flower and its tiny white blooms become hard, round seeds known as coriander. These seeds can be toasted and/or ground and are also considered a valuable spice.

One aspect of growing cilantro that can be tricky for gardeners is its propensity to bolt, or to send up a flowering stalk prematurely. This happens when temperatures become warm and is often not something that can be controlled by the gardener.

Cilantro is a fairly uniform crop with few differences between cultivated varieties. However, there are a few varieties that are slower to bolt with the onset of warm weather. Look for cilantro variety names such as ‘Slow Bolt’, ‘Leisure’ and ‘Calypso’, which you can find at Burpee.com.

Planting Cilantro

Cilantro is usually grown from hard, round, little seeds. These germinate within a couple of weeks and the plant grows rapidly. Plant the seed ½ inch (1.27 cm) deep in prepared soil.

When to Plant Cilantro

Cilantro is a cool-weather crop, and planting dates depend on one’s USDA zone. It will bolt and produce seeds when the soil temperature reaches 75 F (24 C). In southern US climates where winters are mild, cilantro performs really well as a fall through early spring crop. In northern climates soils, spring and fall are the two seasons most appropriate for cilantro. Grow cilantro where it will get early morning or late afternoon sun, but be well-shaded during the hottest part of the day.

Best Soil for Cilantro

The soil should be organic, rich, well draining, and in a sunny location with a bit of protection from noonday sun. Prior to planting incorporate up to 4 inches (10.16 cm) of compost or other organic amendment into the top 6 inches (15.24 cm). of the soil. Most common garden soil is suitable for growing cilantro provided it has a pH of around 6.5. The plant should go into the ground as soon as its workable, in order to mature and produce leaves before it bolts due to the heat.

Light Requirements

Cilantro needs full sun for best growth. Plants in lower light will get leggy and fail to produce enough tasty leaves. If the goal is to produce coriander seed, plants must be in full sun to set blooms and seed.

How to Plant Cilantro Step by Step

• Choose the right time. Cilantro is a cool-season herb. Sow seeds outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer for a fall harvest. In mild climates, it can also be grown through winter. Cilantro grows best when temperatures stay between 50–75°F (10–24°C).
• Select a planting site. Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. In warmer regions, afternoon shade helps slow bolting. Cilantro prefers well-drained, fertile soil with consistent moisture.
• Prepare the soil. Loosen soil to a depth of about 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) and mix in compost if needed. Avoid heavy or compacted soils, which can stunt growth.
• Sow seeds directly. Cilantro does not transplant well, so do not start seeds indoors. Rather, sow seeds ¼ inch (6 mm) deep, spacing them about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) apart. Rows should be 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) apart. Water gently after planting. To ensure a continuous harvest, sow more seeds every 2–3 weeks, especially in spring.
• Thin seedlings and water. Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) apart. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
• Harvest. Begin harvesting leaves when plants are 6–8 inches tall, usually 30–45 days after planting. Cut outer leaves first. To harvest coriander seed, stop harvesting leaves and let those plants flower and set seed.

Cilantro Care

Follow these practices to ensure your cilantro plants result in the best harvest possible.

Watering

Cilantro plants need consistent, even moisture during the growing season. Mature plants in full sun tend to dry out more quickly and need water weekly, if not more frequently. Water deeply and allow the soil to dry a bit before watering again.

Fertilizing

Cilantro doesn’t really need fertilizing as long as the soil has sufficient organic matter. If not, amend the soil with compost before planting. If soil is poor, a light application of a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer or occasional feeding with a diluted liquid fertilizer will be sufficient during its growth. Too much nitrogen, however, can cause excessive leafy growth, less flavor and it may also encourage early bolting.

Mulching

Lay down a 2-to-3-inch layer of organic material like straw, shredded leaves, or pine straw to retain soil moisture, keep roots cool, and keep weeds at bay. Put this mulch around the base of the plants and avoid direct contact with the stems. Mulching will even help deter premature bolting caused by heat stress.

Pruning

Cilantro requires little if any pruning. It can benefit from removing damaged or yellowing leaves. Do this by snipping the entire leaf stem at the base with clean scissors or hand pruners. The ComfortGEL Stainless-Steel Garden Snip from Corona, available from Lowe’s, is more than suitable for precise trimming.

Harvesting Cilantro

Because its flavor and scent diminish considerably after harvest, cilantro is best used fresh. The leaves may be harvested when the plant is 6 inches (15.24 cm) tall. Older plants produce woodier stems and less tasty leaves. For a consistent supply of the leaves, succession plant every few weeks until the heat of summer.

When cutting the cilantro stem, make sure that you are using sharp, clean shears or scissors. Leave a few stems and leaves on the plant so that it will still be able to generate food for itself and continue to grow. Harvest weekly, or more often if your plant is growing well.

Harvesting Coriander

To harvest coriander, the seeds of the cilantro plant, let the plant bolt and then flower. Wait for the seed heads to turn brown and dry out. This will tell you it’s time to harvest them. Do so by either picking them with your fingers, snipping off the branches, or pulling the whole plant out of the ground and shaking the seeds into a container.

Storing Cilantro

After harvest, wash and dry the leaves, wrap in a paper towel, and store them in the refrigerator in a bag for up to a week. Or, set the stems in a glass of water to hold the leaves fresh. After harvesting the cilantro, if you aren't able to cook with it immediately, you can freeze the cuttings until you're ready to cook with them.

Storing Coriander

Dry the coriander seeds until the entire seed has turned light brown. Store them in an airtight glass jar or other container in a cool, dark place like a pantry. They will remain flavorful for months.

Propagating Cilantro

These harvested seeds can also be used to grow another crop of cilantro. Again, be sure to fully dry the seeds before storing them in a container until you are ready to use them.

To grow new cilantro plants from seed, sow them directly outdoors. Cilantro doesn’t transplant as well as other herbs. Sow seeds after the risk of frost has passed and every few weeks to get a continuous harvest.

Another form of propagating is by reproducing the plant with cuttings placed in water. To do so, cut off a healthy stem about 3 to 5 inches (8-13 cm.) long just below a node, where the leaves grow. Remove the lower leaves and place the end of the cutting in water. Let it sit in indirect sunlight where it won’t get too cold. Refresh the water every few days. After 2-4 weeks roots may begin to form. At this point, plant the cilantro into potting soil for further growing. Keep in mind that cilantro does not always reliably grow roots from cuttings. Consider using a rooting hormone on the cut stem tip to improve the odds of getting root growth.

Cilantro Problems

Cilantro is generally easy to grow. However, a few pests, diseases, and cultural issues can cause problems if growing conditions aren’t ideal.

Common pests include:

• Aphids
• Spider mites
• Leafhoppers

All of the above will feed on plant sap and can cause yellowing, curling leaves, or stunted growth. Aphids are the most frequent issue and are often controlled with a strong spray of water, insecticidal soap, or by encouraging beneficial insects like lady beetles. Bonide’s All Seasons Horticultural and Dormant Spray Oil, which can be found at Walmart, can help protect your cilantro from these common pests.

Common diseases include:

• Powdery mildew, a white coating on leaves
• Damping off of seedlings, which turns stems brown at the soil line
• Root rot in poorly drained soils

All of the issues are related to excess moisture or poor air circulation.

Bolting

Beyond pests and disease, the most common growing challenge is bolting. Cilantro will flower and go to seed quickly when exposed to heat, long days, or drought. Beside being annoying, bolting also makes the leaves bitter and sparse. Planting during cool weather, providing afternoon shade, consistent watering, and choosing slow-bolting varieties such as ‘Slow Bolt’ and ‘Calypso’ can help extend the harvest window.

Growing Cilantro in Containers

Cilantro grows very well in containers, so it’s a great option for growing on patios and balconies. Because cilantro develops a long taproot and dislikes waterlogged soils, it’s important to choose a pot that is at least 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) deep and with drainage holes. Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix in the pot and place the containers where they’ll receive morning sun and some afternoon shade, especially in warm climates.

Containers dry out more quickly than garden beds, so consistent watering is key. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy, and check pots frequently during warm or windy weather. They will need some occasional feeding with plant food, but keep in mind that overfertilizing can reduce flavor. Use a water soluble, diluted plant food at every other watering. A food with a high nitrogen ratio is preferable, such as Miracle-Gro’s 12-4-8 Liquid All-Purposed Plant Food Concentrate found on Amazon. A time release formula is also an excellent option.

Sowing seeds in a new pot every week or two will help ensure a steady supply of fresh cilantro. Pots can be easily moved to cooler or shadier spots to slow bolting and extend the harvest.

Growing Cilantro Indoors

Cilantro and other herbs are relatively easy to grow in containers, but can you grow cilantro indoors easily? When you provide it with the right care and conditions, you can definitely grow and enjoy cilantro as a kitchen herb.

Although there are some challenges compared to growing it outdoors, cilantro will grow and potentially thrive in an indoor pot. The tricky part is giving it the same conditions it thrives on outdoors, which include plenty of sun, good drainage, and moderate temperatures.

One of the trickiest aspects of growing cilantro inside is getting enough light. It needs at least six hours per day of bright, direct light. Place it near a sunny, south-facing window and supplement with a grow light if necessary. A container such as the Bloem Trio Flight which can be purchased at Home Depot is the perfect size for placing on or near a windowsill.

Further details on watering, fertilizing and other tips for growing cilantro indoors in our complete care and growing guide.

Companion Planting with Cilantro

Many of the beneficial insects that destroy the “bad bugs” in your garden are attracted to cilantro’s tiny yet alluring flowers. Plant a few seeds of cilantro for companion planting with various other crops. Cilantro will encourage those beneficial insects to stay in your gardens and help you battle the bad bugs.

Plant cilantro throughout the garden in well-placed locations, such as near tomato and spinach plants or planted in rows bordering fruits and vegetables. This is the one instance in which you want to choose varieties that bolt and produce flowers easily.

Parasitoid wasps and hover flies are just two of the beneficial insects attracted to the garden that contains cilantro. Using cilantro as a companion in the garden, in combination with other small flowering pungent herbs, may provide a pest-free garden or at least keep bad bugs to an acceptable minimum that does not allow for damage to your crops.

Cilantro Growing Essentials

• The ComfortGEL Stainless-Steel Garden Snip from Corona, available from Lowe’s, is an ideal tool for precise snipping of leaves, letting you keep the inner leaves while harvesting the cilantro plant’s out leaves.  
• Searching for cilantro variety names that are slower to bolt? Look for names such as ‘Slow Bolt’, ‘Leisure’ and ‘Calypso’, which you can find at Burpee.com.
• Place your indoor cilantro herb garden in a south-facing window and supplement with a grow light if necessary. A container such as the Bloem Trio Flight which can be purchased at Home Depot is the perfect size for placing on or near a windowsill.
• Use a liquid plant food such as Miracle-Gro’s 12-4-8 Liquid All-Purposed Plant Food Concentrate found on Amazon to maintain healthy, leafy growth.
• Bonide’s All Seasons Horticultural and Dormant Spray Oil, which can be found at Walmart, can protect your cilantro plants from pests such as leafhoppers, aphids and spider mites.