Coriandrum

( KOR - ee - an - drum )

At-A-Glance Information

This small genus includes a very well-known herb garden and spice plant, referred to commonly as Coriander or Cilantro, and its wild genus-mate, Coriandrum tordylium. The leaves and seeds are widely used in various cuisines, famous for their strong flavors. These small herbaceous flowering plants are great in herb gardens, either in raised beds, in containers, or in the ground, and produce white flowers that will attract pollinators into the garden.

Coriandrum Species and Varietals

The genus Coriandrum is the type genus member of the plant family Apiaceae, and includes sixteen distinct species. Coriandrum plants can perform well in all growing zones. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Coriandrum sativum (Cilantro, Coriander, Chinese Parsley)
This species, native to the Mediterranean Basin, is wholly edible, though seeds and leaves are the parts most commonly consumed. These herbaceous plants reach about 20 inches tall when mature, and produce white to pale pink flowers.

Caring for Coriandrum

Coriandrum, or Cilantro, can be grown from seed (either direct-sown or started indoors) or purchased as starts from a reputable nursery. It is best planted out right after the last frost of the year passes in springtime or in fall once temperatures have cooled down to between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants should be spaced between 6 and 8 inches apart in rows spaced about a foot apart for best coverage and airflow. They appreciate full sun; they will thrive when they get about 6 hours each day. Make sure to choose a space that will receive some afternoon shade during the warmest hours of the day (typically between 2 and 3 PM), as harsh rays combined with heat can sunburn leaves. If you are in a particularly warm climate, it is recommended that you grow Cilantro in a container so that it can be moved around to maintain safe temperatures and exposure. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.2 and 6.8 (slightly acidic).

If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Cilantro plants like regular waterings so that soil stays consistently moist. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch; drip systems are perfect for Cilantro plants. Cilantro plants do not need to be fertilized. Prune off dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Trim off flower stalks when they appear to continue sending energy to foliage. Coriandrum are annuals, and are typically removed and composted at the end of the growing season and replaced in the next year with new plants.

Growing Coriandrum in Containers
Cilantro plants are perfect candidates for container gardens and indoor grow setups. They are relatively small plants, and can grow in pots that are at least 8 inches wide and deep. Ensure that your container has proper drainage holes, and if growing inside, a water tray underneath. Unglazed clay containers are perfect for Cilantro, as they allow excess water to evaporate through the container walls. Fill the container with well-draining soil, plant your Cilantro, and then apply a layer of mulch over the top of the soil, ensuring that it does not touch the stems or leaves of the plant. Water regularly to maintain consistently moist soil, and ensure that all excess water drains away. Trim regularly to encourage a bushy habit and to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased foliage. At the end of the growing season, pull the entire plant and compost it. Coriandrum plants are annuals, and will need to be re-grown each year from seed.

Harvesting Coriandrum
Coriandrum plants are the source of two popular culinary products: Cilantro (leaves) and Coriander (seeds). Fresh leaves can be harvested from plants at any time. They will have full flavor after about a month in the ground. Harvest by pinching back the upper portions of stems, which will also encourage a bushier habit and more leaves to form. Avoid taking more than 1/3 of the plant during a single harvest. Leaves are best used when fresh, but can also be dried, though they lose some of their flavor. Fresh leaves can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days (in the crisper drawer). Coriander seeds are harvested after plants flower. They are ready to be harvested when seed heads dry out and turn brown. They can be harvested when seeds are green, though they will have a different, more subtle flavor. Seed heads can be harvested individually and then laid out on a screen, or the entire plant can be harvested at once and hung upside down in a dark, cool, dry place with good ventilation. After seeds have dried, which typically takes a week or more, they can be rubbed to release. Sort out seeds from any chaff, and then place seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Coriandrum, or Cilantro, plants are annuals, and will reseed freely in the garden if allowed. They can also be intentionally propagated through collecting and sowing seed. For instructions on how to propagate your Cilantro plant, follow the directions below:

Propagating Coriandrum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.