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

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01 Jun 11, arthur (Australia - temperate climate)
May the 28th Hi Jacob.try making small holes with apiece of 25mm plasic tube 25mm deep then fill them wiith a good quality potting mix then plant your seeds in in the mix.(that gives the seeds a fair chance.)Arthur the mad gardener.
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01 Jun 11, ARTHUR (Australia - temperate climate)
May 29th Hi Aliza try putting a lttle lime around the base of the plants if you have a old salt shaker.{ideal) fill that it will ensure you will not put to much on..Athur thmad gardner.
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04 May 11, michelle LIENEMAN (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you...this explains why every time i plant corriander it gets eaten(leaves only!)..we have possums in our roof, through the back yard in the trees...Dam, love my corriander, any suggestions..apart from getting possums out??? they been in our roof 8 yrs, think they own the place.
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24 Feb 11, di (Australia - temperate climate)
bought a punnet about 3 weeks ago. the guy told me to water it every 3 days, did that and it shrivelled up on me. thought i'll put in the shade, and some slightly revived. watered in a saucer this time but the soil went to moist, and now the plant is dead. well maybe 'cept for one which is sprouting a bit. sigh.
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23 Feb 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
It'll be possums for sure!
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22 Jan 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have tried to grow Coriander in Melbourne with very little success. Now I have bought a large herb self watering pot that holds 10 litres of water. Should I keep the pot in the full sun during summer or put it in semi shade?
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05 Feb 11, George (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Coriander, my wife's favourite herb. In Melbourne, late December 2010, I planted a few seedlings of coriander in a large pot (50cm dia) containing excellent, well-drained soil, fertilizer, a liberal dressing of lime, and a healthy supply of regular watering. Position, all-day sun. The plants thrived, but unfortunately, after about two weeks the coriander bolted, having produced very small, if any, leaves. Very frustrating. In hindsight, I strongly suspect the mistake was keeping the very large coriander pot in full sun. I suggest you avoid the afternoon sun until the plants are firmly established (at about 30cm high) Hope this helps PS I know from experience that parsley will flourish with only part-morning sun.
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15 Feb 11, Melody (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I also failed with Asian coriander then found an unrelated plant called Mexican coriander (Eryngium foetidum) that looks nothing like but tastes exactly the same. It resembles Dandelion in that longish leaves come from a central root at ground level. These are not as soft as the other coriander but are more robust so the flavour can survive some cooking. Cut out the flower stem to prolong life but it does seed readily too. I found mine at a nursery so maybe ask your friendly nursery staff to look into it for you. Cheers!
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29 Jul 11, Ossie Osborne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Please give me your nursery name. Mine does not know of the plant even though the ABC Garden Show featured it a couple of weeks ago.
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19 Jul 11, Andrew Griffiths (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Regular coriander bolts in the Summer as you say. I keep the seed for next year, and I grind it up for Mexican flavour. The combination of coriander seed, cumin and cayene, in tomato puree, a bit of Worcestershire and vegie stock makes the perfect flavour.
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Showing 131 - 140 of 167 comments
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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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