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

Your comments and tips

27 Jul 20, Anila (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Can I grow cilantro indoors starting the end of July? Or, outdoors only?
28 Jul 20, Sandra G. (USA - Zone 10b climate)
You can plant cilantro all year; during cooler season you may start in tray/cups whatever method and plant out when it's about one inch tall. And if you have hot weather like us in California, you can direct sow the seeds anyplace in the garden, walk around and take a good look see, anyplace where there's shade, drop some seeds. I direct sow in my containers under the zucchini, around the tomatoes, under the marigolds (my marigolds are three feet tall), basically, anyplace in the shade, and remember, cilantro is cut and come again, pick often, because if you let it grow to coriander (to seed-can grow to five feet tall), then you can save the seeds after you let the plant dry out save the flowers because they become seeds. You can get hundreds of seeds from just one plant. Good luck!
02 Nov 20, First Time Farmer (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Fun tip - buy coriander seeds from your local Indian grocery store. It's much much cheaper than buying from seed stores or large grocery stores.
20 Jul 20, Anne Shaw (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi there I live close to the mountains in Central North Island and its quite a damp and cold climate. It also gets frosts here. Am wondering if its still okay to try grow Coriander in the garden (and cover on frosty nights) or if its better to grow inside due to the colder climate? Thanks
21 Jul 20, Nicole Botherway (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi there, I grow coriander in the garden over winter here in Christchurch where we get many frosts. This season my coriander has been frozen solid many mornings and has fared well, being even more prolific than in the autumn. I find corriander for me is a winter herb to grow. Good luck.
27 Jan 24, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Living in Christchurch too. I plant coriander the whole year round - in sunny spot in winter and in shady spot in summer
21 Jul 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Check the planting guide here for cool/mountain climate. The big white P (planting time) in the green monthly boxes at the top of the page. If you have frosts from NOV to FEB then give it a miss.
29 Sep 20, Andrea (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I have been growing coriander in Middlemarch for the past three years, and it gets through the winter with no damage. Plants from seed direct sown in autumn, while small, have handled frosts of minus 12 as well as regular minus 5 degrees. All the late summer and autumn self sown seed is looking good. (Sept). I am constantly surprised by its easy handling of extreme winter temperatures. Using my own seed now from original Kings Seeds - 'Indian Summer' ironically.
21 Apr 20, Lisa (USA - Zone 6a climate)
When can I plant cilantro plants? Zone 6a
22 Apr 20, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Check using your zone 6a eg www.gardenate.com/plant/Coriander?zone=16
Showing 11 - 20 of 166 comments

Coriander bolts to seed in hot weather. Once it has gone to the flowering stage you cannot get it back to the leafy format. You can however enjoy the flowers and the seeds that form.

- Nola

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