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 S S   S S        
      T T     T T      
      P P     P        

(Best months for growing Coriander in Australia - sub-tropical 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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: Thin to 45 cm
  • Harvest in 30-45 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dill, Chervil, Anise, Cabbages, Carrots
  • Avoid growing close to: Fennel

Your comments and tips

26 Aug 09, Rama (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Melbourne. I put seeds some time in March April. It needs to be above 20 C for a few days for it to germinate. Then it gets cold here in Melbourne. After about 3-4 weeks, I start picking leaves only. Then in about 10-15 days, it is ready to pick. This goes on till it warms up in October/November. I get plentiful supply of fresh coriander all through April to October/November. I need rarely water, is it is cold enough. Also I plant in shade (of the fence), and it does not seem to matter much. I just buy the cooking coriander seeds available in Indian Grocery store (500 grams costs a few dollars) and use it as seed. What I find is that the leaves from this coriander has a lot more flavour - When I pick with bare hands, the smell does not go even after a casual wash with soap! I have been doing this for the last decade. Right now I have coriander planted at three spots - a total of about 2 sq metres.
18 Apr 12, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
That's the way I buy coriander seed at Asian grocery store's, mega value. You also have enough so you can have a split in growth and supply ready all the time.
11 Aug 09, Kandy (Australia - temperate climate)
I've tried coriander numerous times in pots and it always dies off. For some reason, I ended up putting coriender seedlings straight into the garden in about May, and now I have coriander 'trees', one two feet high! All my friends are swapping for other plants. I have no idea what to use them for! Mine have morning sun which fades about 2pm. They're in a clay soil, and I surround them with mulch. Goodluck!
22 Jul 09, Boz (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi sjsjs, I would suggest that you try again in September (for a temperate area). I started with one plant which went to seed quickly. I collected most seeds but then left the rest to self-sow and now have plenty of plants growing strong through Winter. The great thing is that I have plants at different stages of their life-cycle so I always have a fresh supply ready. I suggest using plenty of sugar-cane mulch to prevent weeds and insects, and reduces watering needs.
20 Jul 09, sjsjs (Australia - temperate climate)
I have sowed coriander during the month of May. It didn't even germinated?What should I do?
14 May 09, Brad (Australia - temperate climate)
I initially struggled with Coriander in Perth. First time round slugs and snails got the young plants. When I then planted in spring they bolted or struggled with heat. Seed left in the ground germinated April-May and grew brilliantly over winter. So I now plant then in Autumn, keep snails away when they're young and an occasional liquid feed keeps them happy. I thin out young plants for leaf & roots and then as the remaining plants are established take a little leaf as I need it, which they tolerate well. You get a lot of seed from one plant if you let it go - but be sure to catch the seed early or it will self seed. Best grow direct from seed, but I've had success moving very young seedlings not older plants.
10 Apr 09, ali (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
what is eating my coriander? I don't seem to be having any luck with this herb as something eats it. I've put chicken wire aroung the small herb bed but something still manages to eat it! Help!
05 May 10, Sheldon (Australia - temperate climate)
I have the same problem, what on earth is small enough to get through protective netting and still eat the whole plant in one go?!!!
05 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Snails and slugs will eat an entire plant in a night. Maybe the holes are big enough for them to get through? Tried snail baits?
08 May 10, sheldon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
thanks for your response, yes have snail bait around the pots my herbs are planted in.
Showing 121 - 130 of 136 comments

Cilantro is, strictly speaking, the name for the leaves and Coriander is the name for the seeds. Just a little bit of trivia for you.

- John

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.