Cilantro/Coriander
This versatile herb is used in a wide array of dishes from all over the world! Cilantro is used in Mexican and Asian dishes and it adds a nice fresh taste to salads. Coriander, the seeds of cilantro, is used Middle-Eastern dishes, curries, and dips.
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New: Calypso New: Unknown |
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Coriandrum sativum |
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Easy |
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Easy |
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1-4 years if properly stored |
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7-10 days |
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Annual |
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Full sun to part shade |
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60-90 days |
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Feb, Mar, April Also checks out as part of the “Herb Kit” Feb/Mar/Apr |
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No
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Table of Contents
Growing Tips
When to Start
Spring: After the danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)
Fall: About 45-60 days before the average freeze date. (Mid-September – September 30)
How to Start
The “seeds” are actually two cilantro seeds encased in a husk. Before planting prepare the seeds to increase the chances that they will germinate by gently crushing the seed husk holding the two seeds together. Soak the cilantro seeds in water for 24 hours.
Direct sow seeds in the soil and then cover them with about a 1/4-inch layer of soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Care
Cilantro is a cool weather plant and dislikes temperatures when they reach upper 70s and above. This triggers the plants need to reproduce and it will start to develop flowers and the leaves will change flavor and be unpalatable. If you live in an area where the time frame of “when danger of frost has passed” and “temps warm up too much” at about the same time, like Jefferson, GA, you can still grow cilantro. I do and it works very well. See My personal experience for how I grow it.
Leave the cilantro growing until it is at least 2 inches tall. Then thin the cilantro to be about 3 to 4 inches apart. You want to grow cilantro in crowded conditions because the leaves will shade the roots and help to keep the plant from bolting in hot weather.
Even with ideal cilantro growing conditions, this is a short-lived herb. Taking the time to prune cilantro frequently will help delay bolting and prolong your harvest time. Plant new seeds about every six weeks to keep a steady supply throughout the growing season. Once the cilantro plant bolts, let it go to seed.
Harvest
Leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season until they bolt. Bolting will change the flavor of the leaves. Harvest in the morning for peak flavor.
How to use
Cilantro is most often used in Mexican dishes, however, it is also popular in Asian dishes. It adds delicious flavor to Mexican cuisine like salsa and guacamole. Coriander, the seeds of cilantro, can be used to flavor many kinds of meats from beef to chicken. It is good paired with rice, potatoes, eggplant, carrots, and curries. It can also be used to make tea. Those who have a certain gene may not like cilantro as it will taste like soap to those with the genetic trait.
To make tea: 1 Tablespoon of fresh leaves or 1/2 Tablespoon of dried leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Let steep and then strain out the leaves. Mix it up by adding the leaves to a cup of black tea.
My personal experience
I love fresh cilantro! However, it can be tricky to grow if you don’t have long cool springs. For Jefferson, GA all danger of frost has passed by May 1. However, it will be getting to warm for cilantro at this point and will probably immediately bolt. This can be frustrating as cilantro is necissary in fresh salsa!
This is what I do to grow cilantro. I will start in March or early April. Any ‘outdoor’ cilantro is planted in pots to make it easy to move around to protect from late freezes. These pots can even be brought inside overnight if temperatures get too cold. My plant for the ‘outdoor’ cilantro is also to let it go to seed so I can get seeds for replanting and corriander.
Mostly I grow it inside under grow lights during the summer when it’s too hot outside for the plants but the tomatoes are ripe and perfect for salsa!
Pro Tip!
Incompatibles: None
Grows well with: Caraway, eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes
Seed Saving
Isolation Distance
Cilantro will cross with other varieties, so separate by 1/2 mile.
Instructions
You can cover the seed head with a large fine mesh bag as soon as the seed heads form. Use an elastic band to hold the bag in place. This prevents seeds from spilling onto the soil before harvest. Clip the flower head from the main stem once the seeds are dry. Shake the seed stem into a bag, and the ripe seeds will fall.
Features
- Add raw or near the end of cooking for best flavor.
- Calypso: Very prolific and slower to bolt than any other variety. Excellent in salsa, guacamole, sauces, and seafood.
- Fun Fact! Some people possess a gene that makes cilantro and coriander taste like soap.
- Cilantro does not transplant well. Try bio-degradable pots if you must transplant.
- For the south, try planting in partial shade as cilantro likes to bolt in hot weather.
- If you want fresh cilantro during the summer months, try growing it indoors.
Sources:
johnnyseeds.com
The New York Botanical Garden, Herbal Handbook, Clarkson Potter.
Helmer, Jodi. Growing Your Own Tea Garden: the Guide to Growing and Harvesting Flavorful Teas in Your Backyard. Fox Chapel Publishers International Ltd., 2019.