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 S S S S     S S S S S
T T T T T     T T T T T
P P P P P     P P P P P

(Best months for growing Coriander in Australia - temperate 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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: Thin to 45 cm
  • Harvest in 30-45 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dill, Chervil, Anise, Cabbages, Carrots
  • Avoid growing close to: Fennel

Your comments and tips

10 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
You are right. Confetti Coriander can be harvested earlier and is slower to run to seed.
05 Dec 16, lucy piejko (Australia - temperate climate)
My coriander has really shot up like a bush but full of flowers - how do i get it back to normal as the leaves are not growing
20 Dec 16, Nola (Australia - temperate climate)
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.
11 Aug 16, Andy (Australia - temperate climate)
After years of growing coriander I've settled on two scenerios for success. Firstly when growing the traditional coriander variety, only grow from seed where you want to grow it, as root disturbance during transplant can cause it to bolt, only try growing in the cooler months if you get summer days over 30deg. Also when you go to harvest, harvest the whole plant roots and all and use them in your cooking, harvesting the leaves only will again cause the plant to bolt to seed. The other scenario, and a better option for hot, humid climates or for year round harvest, is to plant 'Saw tooth' or 'perennial' coriander, this stuff is almost bulletproof and will grow from cool climates right up into the humid tropics
18 Sep 16, Donna (Australia - tropical climate)
Thanks for the tips, have always had trouble growing coriander, will definitely try growing from seed and see how I go, thanks again
15 May 16, Barry Smithson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dear Mr Sukdhev. Please can you advise the soil requirements of Coriander - alkaline or acid or in between? Can't find any help on the internet. Would appreciate your assistance. Thank you. Barry Smithson
12 Jan 16, Cheryl Jorgensen (Australia - temperate climate)
I have recently moved from Brisbane to Victoria, about 120 kms north of Melbourne. Can I grow coriander here? If so, when and where should I plant it?
31 Dec 15, sandra (Australia - temperate climate)
Help please I live in Brisbane and anyones whoes been here in Summer knows its pretty hot and humid. I desperately want to know how Ii can grow corriander in these conditions without it going to seed. Can I grow it in side in a pot? Please advise
14 Feb 17, The Delectable Garden (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Sandra I've done the move like you and no-one tells you what a huge difference there is going to be in your gardening, both what you can grow and when! The short answer is you cannot grow coriander in summer in Brisbane! It will almsot always bolt straight to seed or die as soon as you plant seedlings. You could try sowing some seeds in a pot and grow it indoors. Personally I haven't found this terribly successful. You can get the perenial coriander, but I'm not a fan. If you want to use this, my tip is to put in big chunks of leaves so that you can get the coriander flavour but remove the unpalatable leaves before serving! The other option (for next year) is to freeze coriander in several ziplock bags when it is growing in winter/spring and use these in curries etc in summer. Not good if you want fresh coriander. For this you will have to try the organic markets during summer. Rohanne, The Delectable Garden
02 Jan 16, tastyvish (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Coriander is easy to grow, particularly in moderately hot climate.It can be grown easily in pot near window seal.Picking regularly will prevent the plant from going to seed like basil.
Showing 31 - 40 of 135 comments

Instructions for growing coriander depend on whether you want to grow it for seed or to use the green foliage as a herb. Like most gardeners I just grow it for the green foliage - after all you can buy the seed in Continental / Middle Eastern grocery stores by the kg at a very reasonable price. And the greens picked fresh straight from the garden are delicious - better than from veggie shop. Space plants at 10 to 15 cm if you just want the greens - That's because you will be harvesting when the plants are around 20cm high. You can treat it as a cut-and-come-again crop to some extent. I find that in Sydney I can plant coriander seeds from late March right thru the winter till about October. I plant a small patch about once every 6 weeks during that time. It is at its most tender during cool to mild weather, and actually very easy to grow. Once your spring weather warms to max in the high 20s or more your coriander will quickly bolt to seed and be not worth eating. Unfortunately there are some Australian gardening books and seed packets that still advise the opposite - ie to plant thru summer which has resulted in very many garden failures, even with "slow bolt coriander" seeds. Btw seed direct, coriander doesn't transplant well.

- David Pritchard

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.