Growing Coriander, also Cilantro, Chinese parsley

Coriandrum sativum : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Coriander in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: Thin to 18 inches
  • Harvest in 30-45 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dill, Chervil, Anise, Cabbages, Carrots
  • Avoid growing close to: Fennel
  • Coriander/Cilantro
  • Coriander flowers

Broadcast sow and thin to 45 cm apart. Grows to about 60 cm.

Harvest 30 - 45 days

A half-hardy herb with feathery leaves.

Grows more reliably from seeds as coriander is liable to bolt to flower and seed when seedlings are transplanted.

Coriander is frost tender but it doesn't like extreme heat. So in temperate zones grow coriander during summer, in sub-tropical/tropical zones grow it during the cooler season.

Needs a sunny spot and mulch to prevent drying out. Keep very well watered. If they dry out, then they will bolt to seed. Plant in successions (planting new seed every few weeks) to get a continuous supply.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Coriander

Use the leaves to flavour hot meals or add fresh to salads.
The seeds can be dried and ground up for curries.

Your comments and tips

12 Sep 08, Jaci (Australia - temperate climate)
Ahhh thanks Chris for putting this recent link to coriander on your site! A few years back I tried to grow coriander in pots and had no real luck. It was tedious to care for and went to seed far too soon. I had heard of this from others and also. Determined to press on, last September I planted it in clumps (around 20 seeds each) straight into my vegie patch (in a spot which is mulched and in morning sun) and successfully grow loads of it, planting it twice per year in late summer and late winter. Letting it go to seed in summer allows us to eat it throughout its life cycle as a fresh herb from its leaves, a spice from its seed and we can use the root in curries. Like other leaf crops, you can pick it gradually as you need it instead of harvesting the whole plant at once.
20 Sep 08, calem (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a vegitable garden and I had planted 4 coriander plants but 2 turned brown and died and now the other 2 are starting to go brown how can i stop them from dieing too? calem young.
01 Dec 08, melina (Australia - temperate climate)
Every time i buy a coriander plant and plant it in my garden it either goes to seed or just dies off. I have tried growing coriander a few times with no success.
14 Dec 08, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Melina we have been growing coriander for years. Like Jaci above, we just sprinkle the seeds in the garden,lightly cover them and keep the soil moist. Our crop has never failed. It does go to seed fairly quickly but all you have to do is collect the seeds and replant them. Give it a try, I'll be surprised if you are not successful.
16 Dec 08, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been growing coriandar for many years successfully. Coriandar likes cooler weather. I have grown kilos of them during winter months in full sun position. Needs good mulch and fertilizer and plenty of water. Don't try in summer in full sun unless you only want to collect seeds. I am in Sydney and in summer. I am able to grow some under the shade of sweet corn now since the weather has not been very hot.
10 Apr 09, ali (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
what is eating my coriander? I don't seem to be having any luck with this herb as something eats it. I've put chicken wire aroung the small herb bed but something still manages to eat it! Help!
05 May 10, Sheldon (Australia - temperate climate)
I have the same problem, what on earth is small enough to get through protective netting and still eat the whole plant in one go?!!!
05 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Snails and slugs will eat an entire plant in a night. Maybe the holes are big enough for them to get through? Tried snail baits?
08 May 10, sheldon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
thanks for your response, yes have snail bait around the pots my herbs are planted in.
09 May 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Crickets will eat seedlings. Maybe the problem?
Showing 1 - 10 of 166 comments

I have the same problem, what on earth is small enough to get through protective netting and still eat the whole plant in one go?!!!

- Sheldon

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