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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08 May 10, sheldon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
thanks for your response, yes have snail bait around the pots my herbs are planted in.
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09 May 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Crickets will eat seedlings. Maybe the problem?
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16 Dec 08, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been growing coriandar for many years successfully. Coriandar likes cooler weather. I have grown kilos of them during winter months in full sun position. Needs good mulch and fertilizer and plenty of water. Don't try in summer in full sun unless you only want to collect seeds. I am in Sydney and in summer. I am able to grow some under the shade of sweet corn now since the weather has not been very hot.
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14 Dec 08, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Melina we have been growing coriander for years. Like Jaci above, we just sprinkle the seeds in the garden,lightly cover them and keep the soil moist. Our crop has never failed. It does go to seed fairly quickly but all you have to do is collect the seeds and replant them. Give it a try, I'll be surprised if you are not successful.
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01 Dec 08, melina (Australia - temperate climate)
Every time i buy a coriander plant and plant it in my garden it either goes to seed or just dies off. I have tried growing coriander a few times with no success.
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20 Sep 08, calem (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a vegitable garden and I had planted 4 coriander plants but 2 turned brown and died and now the other 2 are starting to go brown how can i stop them from dieing too? calem young.
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12 Sep 08, Jaci (Australia - temperate climate)
Ahhh thanks Chris for putting this recent link to coriander on your site! A few years back I tried to grow coriander in pots and had no real luck. It was tedious to care for and went to seed far too soon. I had heard of this from others and also. Determined to press on, last September I planted it in clumps (around 20 seeds each) straight into my vegie patch (in a spot which is mulched and in morning sun) and successfully grow loads of it, planting it twice per year in late summer and late winter. Letting it go to seed in summer allows us to eat it throughout its life cycle as a fresh herb from its leaves, a spice from its seed and we can use the root in curries. Like other leaf crops, you can pick it gradually as you need it instead of harvesting the whole plant at once.
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Showing 161 - 167 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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