How to Grow Cilantro |West Coast Seeds

Cilantro is easy to grow and fast to go to seed in summer. The umbel (cluster) of flowers that forms at the top of the plant is highly attractive to beneficial predatory insects. The secret is to give cilantro deep soil for the roots, try placing the plant in partial shade, pick frequently, and resow several times. Continue reading below for some tricks and tips to grow cilantro from seed.

Latin
Coriandrum sativum
Family: Apiaceae

Difficulty
Easy

Season & Zone
Season: Cool season
Exposure: Sun or part-shade
Zone: Will overwinter with protection in Zones 7+

Timing
Direct sow from just after the last frost date to late spring. Direct sow in the fall under cover for a winter crop. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 15°C (60°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.

Starting
Sow 2cm (1″) deep in short rows. Thin seedlings to stand 5-10cm (2-4″) apart if harvesting leaves. If growing for seed, allow 23cm (9″) between plants.

Growing
Cilantro is tricky because several factors can cause it to bolt. Avoid transplanting for this reason, and avoid hot conditions as well as too much moisture. It does best in light, well-drained soil in partial shade, in relatively dry conditions. This is easy to achieve beneath a cloche in winter, where cilantro will thrive. Once it blooms, the seeds ripen suddenly, in only a couple of days, so care should be taken to prevent self sowing or simply losing those useful seeds.

Harvest
Pick young leaves once they have reached about 10cm (4″) in height. The flavour, though intense when fresh, diminishes quickly when dried or cooked, so always add cilantro just before serving. Try freezing it in ice cube trays with water. The stems and roots are also full of flavour. Harvest the seeds by sticking 6 or 8 seed heads in a paper bag and hanging it up somewhere airy, away from direct sunlight. The bag will catch the seeds as they ripen and fall out.

Seed Info
Usual seed life: 3 years.

Companion Planting
Cilantro repels aphids, potato beetles, and spider mites. It attracts hoverflies and other beneficial predatory insects.