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

08 Oct 11, Diana (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My nursery person said coriander doesn't like full sun in summer - grow it in shade. Doesn't mind the cold, even here in New england.
08 Oct 11, Robyn (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Sydney. I have planted coriander before and it goes to seed really quickly, before I have had time to harvest even. How do I stop it from going to seed. I have just planted some in a pot. Thanks. Robyn
19 Oct 11, Kathy (Australia - temperate climate)
Another question is: are you planting proper leaf coriander, or the whole seeds from the supermarket? If you plant coriander seeds from the supermarket, it's bred to bolt to seed so they can harvest quicker. (I love coriander seed, so I just plant a bunch of supermarket stuff, generally get a few leaves, but mostly harvest the seed)
08 Oct 11, Tracey in Melbourne (Australia - temperate climate)
Are you planting in spring? Increasing day length and temps trigger flowering. I find coriander grows fantastically well if sown in late summer/autumn and grown through the winter. I can keep picking from the same plants for many, many months. The current lot are just starting to flower now. You should be able to do the same in Sydney w/o any trouble. If you are desperate to have it in summer all I can suggest is growing it in a cool shady spot and pick a variety listed as 'bolt-resistant'. But it will still probably go to seed quickly. And be aware that some varieties are intended to be grown for the seeds, not the leaves - definitely avoid those! Good luck : )
08 Oct 11, Trudy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am growing coridander with my florence fennel without any problems. tastes fantastic and the fennel fronds has stopped it going to seed too early by shading it. The fennel bulbs are looking healthy and the first fennel bulb harvested tasted fine... almost ate it in the garden. Anyone know why they say not to grow together? perhaps it is not to be grown with the herb fennel?
30 Sep 11, Jason (Australia - temperate climate)
I agree with the above comments about growing Coriander in winter. I live in NE Victoria where we get heavy frosts every winter. I planted some seedlings into the vege garden in May and we have had the best Coriander plants throughout winter. They are almost finished now that the weather is warming up. I've never had any luck growing Coriander in summer.
04 Jun 11, jade (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have found if left unnattended my coriander will pop up on it's own wherever it likes in the right weather - I have a big garden and like coriander so this is ok. Are there any plants I should be concerned with - does everything grow well with coriander?
22 May 11, John Bee (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Susan, Coriander like most of the herbs particularly the leafy ones do best on a complete fertilizer, but one high in nitrogen. I use the popular Tropic or CK88 granular fertilizer for beds and a soluble one like Aquasol. In fact you can expect to see a positive response from a deficient plant well within a week using a good soluble complete fertilizer; .as soon as deficiency symptoms start to appear I would water the plants weekly with the soluble fertiliser. Deficiency symptoms in coriander are very obvious from yellowing to even reddish leaves in severe cases. There are definitely different types/ cultivars of coriander, depending on the seed source. There are also two distinct types the more leafy cilantro type and the quicker seeders type coriander. However both go to seed/bolt easily in the warmer weather. I always continuously plant, from weekly in summer to monthly in winter to maintain a continuous supply of lovely leaves without flowers. Plants in partial shade tend to grow taller with thinner stems. Interplanting with other herbs or close planting usually negates the need fro supports. Of course the best way to overcome need fro support id to harvest regularly, which coriander loves. Hope this helps. John Bee Master Gardener.
15 May 11, Susan (Australia - temperate climate)
Just a few questions pertaining to coriander: 1. Please advise what sort of fertiliser is best for growing coriander? 2. Compared to the coriander which I have seen in the vegetable markets, mine appear to be a lot shorter. I will be keen to know what is the secret of growing those nice & long coriander plants that we see in the markets. If it is long & slender like those that we see in the markets. Are there different varieties of coriander? For the coriander which has been seen at the markets, I was wondering what sort of support would be required to prevent them from toppling over.
01 Jun 11, arthur (Australia - temperate climate)
May 23 Hi Jenny I like stick to organic method if I cans.If you have a garden plot where you plant all greens cab,caul,lett.etc.try this cover the plot with grass-chipping at least 80mm-100mm tkick.Wait untill it browns on top.About 10 days. Make small plate size circle where you want want to plant your seedling.(Im in Perth and Ive tried I know i works)(Arthur the mad gardner)No bugs or insects.
Showing 121 - 130 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

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