Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
Coriander (known as cilantro in North America) is one of the most divisive herbs — deeply loved or strongly disliked in equal measure. The fresh leaves have an intensely aromatic, citrusy flavour used extensively in Asian, Middle Eastern, and South American cooking. The seeds are also an important spice.
SowingDirect sow
Sunlight☀️ Full sun
Water💧 Low
Days to harvest30–50
Soil pH6–7
Spacing10cm × 20cm
Planting Calendar
Sow indoorsSow outdoorsTransplantHarvest
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
The Bolting Problem
Coriander's great weakness is its tendency to bolt (run to seed) rapidly in warm, dry weather. Spring sowings often bolt before producing usable leaves. The solution is to sow in cool weather — early spring or late summer — and to choose slow-bolt varieties.For Leaves vs Seeds
If growing for leaves, pinch out the central growing tip to delay bolting and encourage bushy growth. If growing for seed (used as a spice), allow the plants to flower and seed freely.Succession Sowing
For a continuous supply of leaves, sow every 3–4 weeks from early spring to early summer, and again from late summer to autumn. Each batch provides 3–4 weeks of leaf harvest before bolting.Soil: Light, well-drained soil in a sheltered position. Dislikes heavy, waterlogged ground.