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

07 Jan 17, Fui Ching Chiang (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Where can i order coriander/cilantro seeds for growing in my garden? I live in Christchurch, New Zealand. Thank you.
08 Jan 17, Alison (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Koanga seeds is great. I let mine seed in the garden and have constant coriander :)
08 Jan 17, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
You can order seeds on-line. Try egmontsseeds.co.nz
27 Jan 17, Prakash Chandra (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Coriander seeds can be bought from any Indian spice shops.Ask specifically for planting. Soak it overnight in water overnight.Add lots of compost. Takes about two weeks to grow. Needs constant watering
Showing 11 - 14 of 14 comments

Hi Susan, Coriander like most of the herbs particularly the leafy ones do best on a complete fertilizer, but one high in nitrogen. I use the popular Tropic or CK88 granular fertilizer for beds and a soluble one like Aquasol. In fact you can expect to see a positive response from a deficient plant well within a week using a good soluble complete fertilizer; .as soon as deficiency symptoms start to appear I would water the plants weekly with the soluble fertiliser. Deficiency symptoms in coriander are very obvious from yellowing to even reddish leaves in severe cases. There are definitely different types/ cultivars of coriander, depending on the seed source. There are also two distinct types the more leafy cilantro type and the quicker seeders type coriander. However both go to seed/bolt easily in the warmer weather. I always continuously plant, from weekly in summer to monthly in winter to maintain a continuous supply of lovely leaves without flowers. Plants in partial shade tend to grow taller with thinner stems. Interplanting with other herbs or close planting usually negates the need fro supports. Of course the best way to overcome need fro support id to harvest regularly, which coriander loves. Hope this helps. John Bee Master Gardener.

- John Bee

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