Growing Coriander, also Cilantro, Chinese parsley

Coriandrum sativum : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Coriander in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: Thin to 18 inches
  • Harvest in 30-45 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dill, Chervil, Anise, Cabbages, Carrots
  • Avoid growing close to: Fennel

Your comments and tips

16 Mar 12, Malcolm Nicol (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have absolutely no luck trying to grow Coriander. Each time we purchase extremely healthy looking potted plants & each time they die. I leave them in a small 8" pot. What should the watering regime be for this. We have it outside under a shrub which provides shade for most of the day. This is a new position we are trying. Should I repot it in a larger pot. All my other herbs seem to grow well.
11 Mar 12, Sue (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have tried many times to grown coriander with no luck. I keep persevering because I like it so much. Every time I plant it, it goes to seed within a very short time without giving me a crop. Have asked the "experts" who give me various bits of advice i.e. not too much water, not too much sun etc etc. We get heavy frosts in my area. How can I stop this plant from going to seed?
24 Mar 12, Matthew (Australia - temperate climate)
Coriander is one of those herbs that doesn't do well in the searing heats of summer, and I can imagine it is having the same effect from the intense cold as (despite what a plant label will say) it is obvious from looking at it that it has a very sensitive and paper-thin structure and it needs to be handled accordingly. I wouldn't bother growing it in a soil bed for personal use as (like Rocket or Lettuce) it is harvested immediately once grown and it can only go downhill once at the harvesting stage. During the heatwaves, I will bring it indoors to a stable room temperature and I'd probably do the same during times of frost. Most people wouldn't care to put the effort in, however if it is a really sought after herb, I reckon this is the best thing you can do for it. I don't know what your using to grow it in, but I saw better results for Coriander (and all other herbs) using a Terracotta pot with a small amount of gravel at the bottom to improve drainage, than I ever did in a plastic pot. I would imagine it would work better in the cold as the Terracotta would 'pull' the excess moisture out of the soil, though to compensate for the Terracotta, I would give 2 light waterings per day. The only other recommendations I can give are Premium Potting Mix, and the usual recommendation of fast and slow release fertilizers.
12 Mar 12, kylie (Australia - temperate climate)
I feel your pain! AS far as I know it doesnt like to dry out - so you get a crop much better in Winter, and I'd give up in the summer! It does bolt very quickly. My best crops are in winter (i get frost too).
19 Feb 12, Dayna (Australia - temperate climate)
Should I be keeping my plant out of direct sunlight? How often should I water it and at what temperature does it thrive?
29 Jan 12, rex (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I find, if you can get the seed to germinate in april/may it will supply your needs throuout amild wintre, down to -4degC.
24 Dec 11, chris (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Adelaide and find the plants virtually turn to see before I get any sort of harvest
21 Apr 17, Fay (Australia - arid climate)
Me, too. I recently read that they respond to large temp fluctuations by going to seed. So maybe start off in autumn and grow through winter, and/or have it growing in a pot and bring it inside when the weather's going to throw one of our typical spring curve balls.
17 Oct 11, Barbara Scott (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can you still make the coriander unto good pesto after it has "bolted?"
13 Feb 12, Stella (Australia - temperate climate)
Yup u certainly can use the leaves and get rid of the tough shoots and can also add the young seeds for an extra nutty flavor
Showing 111 - 120 of 167 comments

After years of growing coriander I've settled on two scenerios for success. Firstly when growing the traditional coriander variety, only grow from seed where you want to grow it, as root disturbance during transplant can cause it to bolt, only try growing in the cooler months if you get summer days over 30deg. Also when you go to harvest, harvest the whole plant roots and all and use them in your cooking, harvesting the leaves only will again cause the plant to bolt to seed. The other scenario, and a better option for hot, humid climates or for year round harvest, is to plant 'Saw tooth' or 'perennial' coriander, this stuff is almost bulletproof and will grow from cool climates right up into the humid tropics

- Andy

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.