Overview
Cilantro is a cool-weather herb that is a flavorsome addition to soups, salads, curries, and other dishes. Cilantro contains vitamins A, C, and K.
Conditions
For soil, use a potting mix that’s tailored for vegetables and herbs. Cilantro thrives in cooler temperatures, optimum being 65-70°F. For the best quality leaves, provide full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight) and consistent moisture (don’t let the topsoil become dry to the touch).
Planting
Use our grow calendar tool to find specific dates for your region! Seeds germinate in 7-10 days. Avoid planting cilantro in the summer heat as high temperatures cause plants to start producing seed too early. This process is called “bolting,” and it causes leaves to turn bitter in flavor.
Plant seeds directly outdoors in spring. Sow 1-2 seeds per inch, 1/4- 1/2" deep in rows 12-18" apart. For leaf harvest, there is no need to thin, as cilantro continues to grow well even when sown thickly. Successive sowings can be done every 2-3 weeks for continual harvest of leaves. It is important to keep the seeds moist during their germination, so remember to water the plants regularly.
Care
When the weather gets warm, the plant will quickly finish its life cycle and send up a long stalk which will produce blossoms and later seeds. Little plants will sprout during the season and the next spring.
Pests and Disease
Clean up debris and any spent plants to avoid fungal wilt and mildew. To control for insects like leafhoppers and aphids, use insecticidal soap spray once they are spotted under leaves.
Harvest
Begin light harvesting after plants have become established. To have a continual harvest throughout the season, harvest leaves, not the entire plant. The large leaves can be cut individually from the plants. The smaller leaves should be cut along with the stem 1-½ to 2 inches above the crown. To store cilantro leaves, you can either freeze or dry them. To freeze, put the leaves in a resealable freezer bag and store them in your freezer. To dry them, hang the plant in a warm place until fully dried, then store the leaves in a resealable bag or container.
