Cilantro Seeds - Leisure - Coriandrum sativum

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 2-11 - Cilantro is grown as a cool-season annual across all zones. The success of the crop is entirely dependent on timing the planting to avoid periods of high heat, which causes it to bolt.

Best Performance - Thrives and produces the best leafy growth when temperatures are cool to mild, ideally between 50-75 degrees F. Hot weather will cause the plant to quickly flower and set seed.

Northern Zones (2-6) - An excellent spring and fall crop. Direct sow seeds in the spring as soon as the soil is workable. Plant successive crops every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. Plant again in late summer for a fall harvest that can tolerate light frosts.

Hot Climate Zones (7-11) - Primarily grown as a fall, winter, and very early spring crop. Sowing seeds in the fall is ideal for a long, productive harvest season through the mild winter. Spring plantings must be done very early to ensure a harvest before summer heat sets in.

Soil Temperature - Germination is best in cool soil, with an optimal temperature range of 55-70 degrees F. Germination can be slow or erratic in overly warm soil.

Growing Season - This is a very fast crop for leaves, ready for harvest in 40-50 days. For coriander seed production, a longer season of 90-120 days is needed for the plant to flower and the seeds to mature and dry.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:
Direct sow seeds outdoors. Cilantro has a taproot and does not transplant well. Plant in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. For a continuous supply of leaves, sow a new batch of seeds every 2-3 weeks until temperatures get hot. In all but the coldest climates, the best cilantro is grown by planting in late summer or early fall for an autumn, winter, and spring harvest.

Where to Plant:
Choose a location with full sun in the cool seasons of spring and fall. In areas where you are trying to extend the season into warmer weather, a location with afternoon shade is ideal. Plant in well-drained, fertile soil.

How to Plant:

Direct Sow: Sow seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Plant seeds 1-2 inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart.

Watering: Water the area well after planting and keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which can take 7-21 days.

Thinning: Once seedlings are 2-3 inches tall, thin them to stand 4-6 inches apart. You can eat the tender thinnings.

Care & Maintenance:

Watering: Provide consistent moisture, about 1 inch of water per week. Dry soil is a primary trigger for bolting, even in cool weather.

Fertilizing: Cilantro does not require heavy feeding. Amending the soil with a layer of compost at planting time is usually sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can affect the flavor.

Harvesting: Begin harvesting the leaves when the plant is 6-8 inches tall. Snip the outer leaves from the base of the plant, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing. Harvest frequently to encourage more leafy growth and delay bolting.

Bolting: When the plant sends up a tall, central flower stalk, this is called "bolting." The leaf flavor will change and become less palatable. At this point, you can either pull the plant or let it flower to attract beneficial insects and then harvest the coriander seeds once they have formed and dried on the plant.