The plant Cilantro is indigenous and is found in North Africa and Mediterranean Europe. It is part of the carrot family called Apiaceae. The closest cousins to it are parsley, fennel, and dill. This can be seen when the plant blooms and produces tall white blooms. Cilantro is a prolific aromatic annual herb that thrives during the cooler months of autumn and spring. It’s a fairly simple plant to cultivate.

The term cilantro means the thin green stems and the flat, lacy leaves best consumed fresh. The other name is “coriander,” which refers to its seeds, an ingredient in cooking used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian food preparations. The whole plant can be consumed, but the roots and the leaves are the most frequently used.

If the weather is warm when the temperature rises, the plant produces an elongated, slim stalk with flower clusters with pink or white blossoms, which later bear coriander seeds. It develops quickly, typically making its first harvest of leaves in just 30 days. The seeds will be ready for harvesting around three months after planting.

See How To Grow Broccoli and How To Grow Carrots.

cilantro in garden bed with a scissors and wooden box for hafvoo

Cilantro vs. Coriander

Cilantro, as well as coriander, belongs to two components that are part of one plant.

Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum typically refers to leaves from the plant used as a herb. This is the stage of vegetative of the plant’s life.

Coriander refers to the seeds that are generally ground and used to make an ingredient in a spice. It happens after the flowering plant has developed seeds and flowers.

How to Plant Cilantro

The “seed” of Cilantro is a schizocarp that can be split into two seeds. The seeds split are referred to in the seed industry by the name of Monogerm. They are useful for farmers who require precise seeding.

Cilantro plants are notoriously susceptible to bolting. They grow into seeds and send an ever-growing flower stalk when the plants are under stress. As the stem of flowers expands in height, its leaves grow thin and feathery, moving symmetrically up the branch.

What is the Amount of Sun Light for Growing Cilantro?

Although it’s tolerant of a certain shade, Cilantro grows best in full sun, so choose the area that gets sun-soaked for at least six hours of sunshine every day. Thus, plant it in full sunlight or bright light.

Soil

Cilantro loves healthy, light, sandy, and well-drained soil. However, it can tolerate different soils provided the water and nutrients are under control. Cilantro is an apex-shaped root similar to the short, white carrot. This is the reason it requires extremely deep soil to thrive. Soil pH level must be 6 – 7.5.

Cilantro Sowing

Cilantro produces taproots, and they don’t like getting transplanted. However, it grows Cilantro successfully in pots, and it is recommended that plants seeds directly into the container or pot. You’ve planted seeds as soon as they begin to sprout. You can use scissors to trim the seedlings of Cilantro to space them between 12 and 18 inches. When plants grow to several inches high, cut off the growth tips to increase branching and bushiness.

Cilantro prefers moist soil; Therefore, be sure to check your soil regularly and make sure that your plants get around one inch of water every week. If you are growing Cilantro in pots, it is possible to water your plants more frequently, particularly as temperatures start to rise.

Sowing Method

Start seeds about 1.5 cm deep, about 8cm (5″) apart in rows about 15cm (6″) apart.

When to Plant Cilantro

Cilantro is an annual that’s cool in the summer, which means it thrives when temperatures are that are between 50-85 degrees F. If left in temperatures that are higher than 85 degrees, it will begin to bolt early, which means it will grow the stalk of flowers and the whole plant will be bitter.

If your region has mild winters and cold summers in cooler climates, you can plant the herb just following the final day of frost. In the Northern United States, this usually means that you should plant seeds in the early spring from mid to late April.
In areas with hot summers and moderate winters, planting Cilantro in the final week of summer, just as the air begins to cool, is a viable option. Typically, this occurs in September in the Southern United States.

Choose a Pot/Container that’s Suitable.

It’s a frequent mistake to grow Cilantro only in small pots. Although it’s a tiny green plant, Cilantro demands a wide and deep pot to expand. Choose a container that is 18 inches wide and 12 inches of depth. Create a drainage hole in the container before filling it with soil.

The use of biodegradable containers allows you to plant the entire pot directly in the soil so that roots remain healthy.

Water and Nutrients for Growing Cilantro

It is essential to water your cilantro plants, especially when temperatures rise regularly. Make sure that the soil drains effectively and does not get too wet. A few inches of mulch should be placed on top of the Cilantro can help keep water levels in check and keep the plants cool.

Plants should be fed twice a week by providing them with well-balanced fertilizers and then plant them next to the plants that fix nitrogen in soils when they expand.

Fertilizer

Cilantro generally doesn’t require fertilizer to thrive; however, treating it every month using an organic blend formulated specifically for herbs won’t hurt. In addition, you are welcome to add healthy compost or another organic material in your soil to help plants grow, especially at the beginning of planting seeds. Cilantro can be fertilized as many times as you like. One teaspoon of Ammo Nitrate (34-0-0) & Urea (21-0-0) can be used to fertilize each square inch.

Cilantro Harvest Tips:

For Cilantro

Cut the back of the new plants by about 1 inch to encourage bigger and more vigorous plants. Next, harvest the leaves by cutting the stems close to the ground; the majority will be 6-12 inches long. Take care not to cut more than one-third of leaves at one time, as you could decrease the plant’s strength.

Cut off the top of the stem once you see it growing flowers or seeds. The removal of flower heads redirects plant energy towards the leaf instead of producing seeds or flowers. Also, be wary of the plants when the temperatures rise.

For Coriander

The large coriander seeds are easy to pick and manage. Harvest them on a dry day. Cut off the top of the stems as the seeds begin to brown and then crack in the event of pressing. Be sure to harvest the pods early before releasing the source to the garden. After cutting the stems into seedpods, could you put them in a paper bag to gather seeds? The ripening process will continue for several weeks in an unlit, well-ventilated, cool location. The pods can be shaken or rolled around in your palm to disperse seeds.

Certain Growing for Seeds

Cilantro is a plant that has an extremely short lifespan and can bolt rapidly (develops seeds) when temperatures are extremely hot. However, once Cilantro sprouts seeds within the soil, the plant degrades.

Certain varieties of bolt-resistant plants are available. For example, suppose you intend to plant seeds isolating individual types by one kilometer (1 mile) for the best results. Insects pollinate them; however, they cannot cross with other plants or herb species.

Uses

Fresh salsas, salads, benefit greatly from the addition of cilantro leaves. Also, add an extra flavor by using a pinch of cayenne pepper. There is a particular flavor to coriander seeds (also known as coriander), which resembles that of oranges. This ingredient can be found in baked goods, sausages, and fruit dishes. Flatulence can be reduced by using coriander oil, which has medicinal benefits.

How to Store Cilantro leaves and stems?

The stems and leaves do not dry out or can be frozen. Try to keep them fresh as often as you can. It will keep in the fridge crisper for approximately five days. The seeds must be left to dry completely before being stored in the spice cabinet in the closed glass container or plastic. The seeds can then be ground (sometimes initially roasted) in the form of curry powders or different spice mixtures. Its roots cilantro aren’t easy to locate in winter within North America, so cut portions of their stems clean them, dry them thoroughly, then put them in foil to be used later use.

Cilantro Types

“Confetti” grows tiny fernlike leaves. This variety is ideal for the cultivation of micro-greens.
“Calypso,” a bolt-resistant cultivar that is full of flowering of fragrant leaves.
“Marino” slows to bolt various fernlike leaves.
“Santo” is a typical cilantro plant that has many flavors.

Cilantro Pest

Cilantro is not often associated with serious issues with bugs or illnesses. However, it is often regarded as an insect repellant because of its smell. The best way to protect you from diseases and pests is to plant with intention, providing the plants with enough airflow using companion planting techniques and giving plants the vital nutrients, water, and conditions for soil. If you are growing Cilantro, take maintenance and tips to reduce the effect of diseases and pests are:

Aphids – A few incisive shots that are dripped from the water hose and the companion plant will keep aphids at bay.
Leaf spot is characterized by tiny yellow spots, turning to larger, brown spots. Insufficient moisture and poor air circulation is the most common cause of the issue.
Whitefly – A couple of sharp streams in water from the garden hose and the companion plant will deter whiteflies.
Wilt – Choose varieties resistant to disease and ensure leaves are dry by allowing airflow and watering at the base of the plant.
Spacement of mildew can aid in airflow, stopping powdery mildew from developing and spreading. Take any plant with a diseased condition and get rid of it to avoid the spread.
Powdery mildew manifests as an opaque white layer on the leaves, often in dry, hot weather.
Leaf spot – Use the oil of neem to help keep against bacteria. Take away diseased and dead leaves from the garden and dispose of them promptly.

Cilantro Plant Profile:

Common Name Cilantro, Coriander, Chinese parsley

Botanical Coriandrum-Sativum

Plant Family Apiaceae Family

Type Herb

Size 1-2 ft. Height and 1 – 1 an half (1/2) Ft. Wide

Sun Light Direct Sun, Partial Sun

Soil type 6 – 7 pH level

Bloom Season Spring, Summer

Hardiness Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Native Area Asia, Europe, Africa

How to Grow Cilantro