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Learning how to grow coriander (cilantro) comes down to one rule: keep it cool. Coriander is a fast-growing, cool-season annual, and hot weather pushes it to flower and go to seed. That makes timing and a simple sowing plan more important than anything else. Coriander and cilantro are the same plant, so everything here applies to both names. This guide covers when to plant, how to care for it, how to stop bolting, and how to harvest both the leaves and the seeds.
Coriander Growing Needs at a Glance
| Need | What coriander wants |
|---|---|
| Sun | Full sun to light shade, with afternoon shade in hot weather |
| Soil | Well-drained, moist, with a pH of about 6.0 to 7.0 |
| Temperature | Cool weather. Heat above about 75 to 80°F triggers bolting, and light frost is tolerated |
| Spacing | Thin to about 6 inches apart, in rows about 12 inches apart |
| Water | Steady moisture |
| Time to grow | Sprouts in 7 to 14 days; leaves ready in about 4 to 6 weeks |
Coriander or Cilantro?
They’re the same plant, Coriandrum sativum. In the US, for example, cilantro means the fresh leaves, and coriander means the dried seeds. In the UK and elsewhere, coriander usually refers to both. This guide uses both names, because one plant gives you both harvests.
How Long Does Coriander (Cilantro) Take to Grow?
Coriander is quick. Seeds usually sprout in 7 to 14 days, and cool soil can slow that down. You can start picking leaves in about 4 to 6 weeks, once plants are around 6 inches tall. The plant reaches full maturity in 45 to 70 days. After that, heat and long days push it to flower, so a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks keeps the harvest going.
When to Plant Coriander
Plant in spring, from a few weeks before the last frost to mid-spring, and plant again in late summer for a fall crop. Coriander tolerates light frost, but heat is the real problem, because hot weather and long days push it to bolt.
Because of that, a single planting won’t last. The fix is succession sowing:
- Sow a small batch every 2 to 3 weeks through the cool season.
- Stop sowing in the heat of summer, once temperatures climb toward 75 to 80°F.
- Start again in late summer, for a fall harvest.
Where to Plant Coriander
Choose a spot with full sun to light shade, and give it afternoon shade in warm climates. Coriander likes well-drained, fertile soil and consistent moisture. Also, work in compost before sowing, and aim for a pH around 6.0 to 7.0.
Coriander has a long taproot and doesn’t transplant well, so sow it directly where it will grow.
How to Sow Coriander
- First, loosen the soil and mix in compost.
- Next, sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep, in rows about 12 inches apart. Some growers lightly crush the seed husks first to speed germination.
- Then keep the soil moist. Seeds usually sprout in 7 to 14 days, and cool soil can take longer.
- After they sprout, thin seedlings to about 6 inches apart.
Alternatively, if you start seeds indoors, use biodegradable pots that go straight into the ground, to avoid disturbing the roots.
Watering and Feeding Coriander
Keep the soil evenly moist, and water the soil, not the leaves. Also, mulch around the plants to hold moisture and keep the roots cool. In fact, crowded plants and plants in dry soil are more likely to bolt.
However, go easy on fertilizer. Coriander planted in rich soil often needs none, and too much can dilute the flavor. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, as cited by one growing guide, suggests only one or two light feedings a season.
How to Grow Coriander in Pots and on a Balcony
Coriander does well in containers, if the pot is deep enough for its taproot. Use a deep pot with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. Pots dry out quickly, so check them often. A balcony works well if it gets several hours of sun. Because the taproot dislikes disturbance, sow seeds straight into the final pot rather than moving seedlings later. In hot weather, for instance, outdoor pots can need water daily.
Indoors, meanwhile, put coriander in a bright window. Bolting is less of a problem indoors, because the plant stays cooler.
How to Stop Coriander From Bolting
Bolting means the plant sends up a flower stalk and stops making good leaves. Once it starts, you can’t reverse it. To delay it:
- First, sow in succession, every 2 to 3 weeks.
- Also, give plants afternoon shade, and mulch to keep the roots cool.
- In addition, look for seed labeled “slow bolt” or “summer cilantro.”
- Finally, keep the soil moist, and don’t crowd the plants.
How to Harvest Coriander Leaves
Start picking once plants are about 6 inches tall, usually around four weeks after they sprout, and pick before they flower. However, leaves picked after flowering turn tough and bitter.
- Cut outer stems first. Snip the outer stems with clean scissors, and leave the center to keep growing. Take no more than about a third at a time.
- For a second cutting, cut the whole plant about an inch above the ground and let it regrow, as the University of Wisconsin Extension describes.
Will it grow back? Yes, but not endlessly. You usually get one or two more cuttings, and hot weather can end the regrowth early. That’s why succession sowing works better than relying on one plant. For a closer look at cutting technique, see our guide on whether cilantro grows back after cutting.
Fresh leaves keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Many cooks also stand the stems in a jar of water or wrap them in a damp paper towel. When you cook with it, add it at the very end.
How to Harvest Coriander Seeds
When coriander bolts, you can turn it into a seed harvest instead. Let the plant flower and go to seed. The small flowers are white to pale pink, and the seeds that follow are the coriander spice. The seeds are ready when they turn light brown, usually 2 to 3 weeks after flowering. Then, cut the seed heads, hang them upside down to dry, and collect the seeds. Coriander also reseeds itself readily, so some may come back on their own.
Common Coriander Problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Plant flowers early | Heat, long days, dry soil, or crowding | Shade it, mulch, water steadily, and resow |
| Yellowing, wilting | Overwatering or poor drainage | Let the soil dry out, and improve drainage |
| Curled, distorted leaves, tiny insects | Aphids | Spray with water, then use insecticidal soap |
| Holes in leaves | Slugs or snails | Hand-pick them, or use barriers |
Coriander isn’t often hit by serious pests or diseases, but aphids are the most common, especially indoors.
Before You Go – How to Grow Coriander
Overall, coriander or cilantro rewards a little planning. Plant it in cool weather, in full sun to light shade, and sow a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks. Water steadily, harvest the outer stems early, and let the last plants go to seed. For more on herb gardening, see our guide on how to grow basil.
References – How to Grow Coriander
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, by James A. Duke, Pub. CRP Second Edition 2007
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Published by Dorling Kindersley
Sources
- University of Wisconsin Extension, Cilantro / Coriander: extension.wisc.edu
- UF/IFAS Extension (Hardee County), “Growing Fresh Cilantro in Your Garden or Small Farm”: ifas.ufl.edu
- Burpee, “All About Cilantro”: burpee.com
- Tractor Supply, “How to Grow Cilantro” (citing Texas A&M AgriLife Extension): tractorsupply.com
- Gardening Know How, “How to Grow Cilantro”: gardeningknowhow.com
Related Articles
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How to Grow Cilantro: A Clear and Knowledgeable Guide
Frequently Asked Questions – How to Grow Coriander
Is coriander the same as cilantro?
Yes. Cilantro usually refers to the fresh leaves, and coriander to the dried seeds. In the UK, coriander often covers both. They come from the same plant.
Will coriander grow back after cutting?
Yes, for a cutting or two, if you cut it correctly and before it bolts. It doesn’t regrow endlessly, so sow a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks.
How long does coriander take to grow?
Seeds sprout in 7 to 14 days. You can usually harvest leaves in about 4 to 6 weeks, and plants reach full maturity in 45 to 70 days.
Why does my coriander keep bolting?
Heat and long days trigger it. Dry soil and crowding make it worse. Use afternoon shade, mulch, slow-bolt varieties, and succession sowing.
Can I transplant coriander?
It doesn’t transplant well because of its long taproot. Sow directly, or start seeds in biodegradable pots.
Does coriander need full sun?
It grows in full sun to light shade. In hot weather, afternoon shade helps it last longer.
Can I grow coriander in a pot?
Yes, in a deep pot with drainage holes. Water often in hot weather.
How long does a coriander plant live?
Coriander is a short-lived annual that usually lasts a few months. Heat ends it sooner, so sow again every 2 to 3 weeks.
Can I grow coriander from cuttings?
Not reliably, as coriander is grown from seed, and it doesn’t transplant well because of its long taproot.