Growing Coriander, also Cilantro, Chinese parsley

Coriandrum sativum : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                  P P P

(Best months for growing Coriander in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • 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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30 Aug 09, Diane (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
I want to grow a crop of coriander in the polytunnel between September and March. Has anyone had any success during these months, in the UK or other cool/temperate climate. Ideally I'd like to harvest around .5 of a kilo each week.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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!
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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?!!!
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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?
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Showing 151 - 160 of 167 comments
See comments for all plants

You can plant cilantro all year; during cooler season you may start in tray/cups whatever method and plant out when it's about one inch tall. And if you have hot weather like us in California, you can direct sow the seeds anyplace in the garden, walk around and take a good look see, anyplace where there's shade, drop some seeds. I direct sow in my containers under the zucchini, around the tomatoes, under the marigolds (my marigolds are three feet tall), basically, anyplace in the shade, and remember, cilantro is cut and come again, pick often, because if you let it grow to coriander (to seed-can grow to five feet tall), then you can save the seeds after you let the plant dry out save the flowers because they become seeds. You can get hundreds of seeds from just one plant. Good luck!

- Sandra G.

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