How to grow Cilantro
Coriandrum sativum
Cool-season herb — sow it again and again.
Cilantro bolts fast in heat, so it thrives in the cool weather of spring and fall. Sow a pinch every couple of weeks; let some go to seed and you've grown coriander too.
Grow Cilantro with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Cilantro at a glance
| Sun | Sun / part shade |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.2–6.8 |
| Spacing | 4–6 in |
| Harvest | 3–4 weeks |
| Plant | Apr & Sep |
| Note | Bolts in heat |
How to grow Cilantro, step by step
Direct-sow
- Sow seed where it’s to grow — it dislikes being transplanted.
- Sow a fresh pinch every 2–3 weeks for a steady supply.
Cut young leaves
- Snip outer leaves once plants are a few inches tall.
- Keep it cool and watered to delay bolting.
Let some bolt
- When it flowers, leave a few — bees love it and the seeds are coriander.
Cilantro problems & fixes
Cilantro — Flowers and goes to seed fast: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Normal in heat — sow often, grow in part shade, and harvest young.
Cilantro — Thin, weak plants: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Crowded or transplanted. Direct-sow and thin to a few inches apart.
Cilantro — Yellowing leaves: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Usually overwatering or poor drainage. Let the surface dry between waterings.
Recommended cilantro varieties
- Calypso — Best — slow to bolt. Stays leafy far longer before flowering in heat.
- Santo — Standard. The widely-grown, reliable cilantro.
- Leisure — Slow-bolt. Another good slow-bolting pick for summer.
Cilantro month-by-month
| January | Off-season. |
|---|---|
| February | Plan a spot. |
| March | First sowing outdoors. |
| April | Sow every 2–3 weeks; harvest. |
| May | Keep cutting; some will bolt. |
| June | Heat bolts it — let it seed. |
| July | Collect coriander seed. |
| August | Start fall sowings. |
| September | Prime fall cilantro. |
| October | Last harvests. |
| November | Cover for a few extra weeks. |
| December | Off-season. |