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
  • Coriander/Cilantro
  • Coriander flowers

Broadcast sow and thin to 45 cm apart. Grows to about 60 cm.

Harvest 30 - 45 days

A half-hardy herb with feathery leaves.

Grows more reliably from seeds as coriander is liable to bolt to flower and seed when seedlings are transplanted.

Coriander is frost tender but it doesn't like extreme heat. So in temperate zones grow coriander during summer, in sub-tropical/tropical zones grow it during the cooler season.

Needs a sunny spot and mulch to prevent drying out. Keep very well watered. If they dry out, then they will bolt to seed. Plant in successions (planting new seed every few weeks) to get a continuous supply.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Coriander

Use the leaves to flavour hot meals or add fresh to salads.
The seeds can be dried and ground up for curries.

Your comments and tips

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20 Jul 20, Anne Shaw (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi there I live close to the mountains in Central North Island and its quite a damp and cold climate. It also gets frosts here. Am wondering if its still okay to try grow Coriander in the garden (and cover on frosty nights) or if its better to grow inside due to the colder climate? Thanks
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21 Jul 20, Nicole Botherway (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi there, I grow coriander in the garden over winter here in Christchurch where we get many frosts. This season my coriander has been frozen solid many mornings and has fared well, being even more prolific than in the autumn. I find corriander for me is a winter herb to grow. Good luck.
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27 Jan 24, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Living in Christchurch too. I plant coriander the whole year round - in sunny spot in winter and in shady spot in summer
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21 Jul 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Check the planting guide here for cool/mountain climate. The big white P (planting time) in the green monthly boxes at the top of the page. If you have frosts from NOV to FEB then give it a miss.
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29 Sep 20, Andrea (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I have been growing coriander in Middlemarch for the past three years, and it gets through the winter with no damage. Plants from seed direct sown in autumn, while small, have handled frosts of minus 12 as well as regular minus 5 degrees. All the late summer and autumn self sown seed is looking good. (Sept). I am constantly surprised by its easy handling of extreme winter temperatures. Using my own seed now from original Kings Seeds - 'Indian Summer' ironically.
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07 Nov 18, Ingo (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown Coreander now 3 times but the leaves are tasteless no coriander tast. Can someone explain please.
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09 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Suggest you try a different variety. Try the internet for different seeds.
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21 Sep 17, Hedia Paaka (New Zealand - temperate climate)
This is the first time I have started growing coriander, the seedlings are starting to pop up. Would you recommend coriander and parsley be grown in the same pot. Thanks.
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11 May 17, Jos (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Coriander seed sold to be used in cookingoften doesn't give very good results. Not worth the hassle
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12 May 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
There's a fair change that the seed has lost its viability but still okay for cooking.
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Showing 1 - 10 of 14 comments
See comments for all plants

Coriander is one of those herbs that doesn't do well in the searing heats of summer, and I can imagine it is having the same effect from the intense cold as (despite what a plant label will say) it is obvious from looking at it that it has a very sensitive and paper-thin structure and it needs to be handled accordingly. I wouldn't bother growing it in a soil bed for personal use as (like Rocket or Lettuce) it is harvested immediately once grown and it can only go downhill once at the harvesting stage. During the heatwaves, I will bring it indoors to a stable room temperature and I'd probably do the same during times of frost. Most people wouldn't care to put the effort in, however if it is a really sought after herb, I reckon this is the best thing you can do for it. I don't know what your using to grow it in, but I saw better results for Coriander (and all other herbs) using a Terracotta pot with a small amount of gravel at the bottom to improve drainage, than I ever did in a plastic pot. I would imagine it would work better in the cold as the Terracotta would 'pull' the excess moisture out of the soil, though to compensate for the Terracotta, I would give 2 light waterings per day. The only other recommendations I can give are Premium Potting Mix, and the usual recommendation of fast and slow release fertilizers.

- Matthew

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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. GardenGrow 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.
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