How To Grow Cilantro From Seed To Harvest
Cilantro is a flavorful herb that's a staple in many cuisines around the world. It's incredibly versatile, easy to grow, and prefers cooler weather. So, if you've had trouble with cilantro bolting in hot weather, don't worry—I've got some tips to help you grow it successfully.
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What is Cilantro?
Cilantro belongs to the Apiaceae family and is closely related to parsley, dill, and carrots. It's renowned for its lacy green leaves and unique citrusy flavor. Cilantro refers to the leafy part of the plant, while the seeds are known as coriander.
Cilantro thrives in cool weather and grows quickly, making it ideal for spring and fall gardens. However, it's a short-lived annual, meaning it grows fast and then bolts—or starts flowering—fairly quickly. Bolting can lead to a bitter taste, so the earlier you harvest, the better the flavor.
Tips for Growing Cilantro
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Choose the Right Variety: Look for slow-bolting varieties if you live in a warm climate. Options like leisure, splits, Caribe, or Calypso are bred to resist bolting. If growing cilantro to harvest its seeds (coriander), then it is best to grow varieties called Kanchanaburi or Moroccan.
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Ideal Growing Conditions: Cilantro prefers temperatures between 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In hot climates, planting in a spot with afternoon shade can help slow down bolting. Consistently moist soil and mulching around the plants retain moisture and keep roots cool.
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When to Sow Cilantro Seeds: Direct sow cilantro once your past your last spring frost date or when you start planting your fall garden.
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How to Sow Cilantro Seeds: Direct sowing seeds into the garden is the easiest method. Prepare the soil by removing all weeds and working some organic blood meal into the first few inches of soil. Crush the seeds a bit to open them and remove their outter seed shell. Sprinkle the seeds over the prepared soil, gently rake them in, and water them daily until germination, which occurs within 10 days.
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Succession Planting: Since cilantro is short-lived, try succession planting by direct sowing new seeds every 2-3 weeks. This will keep the harvest going for many weeks.
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Cilantro Pests: Cilantro is relatively pest and disease resistant. However, it is a host plant for various butterflies. Do not spray treatments if you find butterfly caterpillars. Instead plant way more plants than what you think you might need, knowing some of them will get sacrificed to the caterpillars. Aphids are another pest that can occur. Spray with an organic insecticidal soap or knock them off your plants with a strong blast from your water hose.
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Cilantro Diseases: As far as diseases, cilantro plants don't get many but fungal diseases like powdery mildew can infect plants in humid conditions. Spray with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water to clean and disinfect the leaves if they get a leaf disease.
Harvesting Your Cilantro
Cilantro can be harvested about three to four weeks after planting for baby greens or five to seven weeks for mature plants. Harvest frequently to delay bolting and enjoy the best flavor and texture. Store fresh cilantro in a glass of water in the fridge, or wrap it in a damp paper towel to keep it fresh.
If you're interested in coriander seeds, let the plant flower and produce seed heads, which take about eight to 10 weeks to mature.
My Personal Tips
When I harvest cilantro, I usually pinch off individual leaves. However, if you need a lot, feel free to cut across the plant but leave the roots intact for regrowth.
Did you know that the roots are also edible and used in Thai cooking? Try experimenting with the roots if you're adventurous!
Alternative Options To Cilantro
For those in hot climates, Papalo might be a great alternative with a similar taste to cilantro and better heat tolerance. Also, if cilantro tastes like soap to you, try growing papalo instead.
