How to Grow Cilantro
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🛠️ Supplies You'll Need
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🌿 Plant Overview
☀️ Growing Requirements
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Sun
Partial Shade to Full Sun
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Water
Regular (keep moist)
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Spacing
6" apart
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Depth
0.25" deep
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Height
12-24"
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Germination
7-10 days
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Common Cilantro Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Santo
Slow-bolting variety that stays leafy longer in warm weather than standard cilantro.
Calypso
Highly bolt-resistant and high-yielding; ideal for warm climates with long growing seasons.
Leisure
Large-leaved variety that bolts slowly and regrows well after cutting.
Vietnamese Coriander
Heat-loving substitute for true cilantro; peppery flavor, perennial in warm zones.
Days-to-maturity figures are approximate and vary by climate and growing conditions.
Common Cilantro Problems
What to watch for — and how to fix it before it spreads.
Pests
Light green aphids cluster on stems and umbels, distorting flowers and reducing seed set.
Spray with water or neem oil; tolerate light infestations as cilantro is short-lived anyway.
Striking green-and-black caterpillar that can strip a cilantro plant quickly.
Relocate caterpillars to wild carrot (Queen Anne's Lace) — they become Black Swallowtail butterflies.
Diseases
Seedlings collapse at the soil line shortly after germination, caused by fungal pathogens in wet soil.
Use sterile seed-starting mix; water from below; ensure excellent drainage.
White coating on leaves; common in warm, dry weather with cool nights.
Improve airflow; direct-sow in well-spaced rows; apply potassium bicarbonate spray.
Common Mistakes
Cilantro bolts quickly in warm weather, leaving you with none after 4–6 weeks.
Sow small amounts every 2–3 weeks from early spring through fall for a continuous harvest.
Cilantro bolts immediately in temps above 80°F.
Grow in spring and fall; in hot climates, grow in part shade or choose "slow bolt" varieties like Calypso.
🌾 Seed Saving Guide
🟢 EasyWhen to Harvest Seed
Let plants bolt fully. Harvest seed heads when they turn brown but before they shatter.
Processing
Cut seed heads into a bag and shake. Dry for 1 week before storing.
Seed Viability
Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
Cilantro seed (coriander) is also a culinary spice — you can save the same seeds you'd cook with.
Seed Storage Supplies
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Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 4 per sq ft of Cilantro. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Cilantro Planting Calendar by Zone
Cilantro Planting Calendar by State
Other Plants
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cilantro? +
Sow Cilantro seeds directly in the garden 4 weeks before your last frost date. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your location.
How long does Cilantro take to grow? +
Cilantro typically matures in about 45 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.
Should I start Cilantro indoors or direct sow? +
Cilantro does best when direct sown outdoors. Plant seeds directly in the garden at the appropriate time based on your local frost dates.
How much sun does Cilantro need? +
Cilantro requires partial shade to full sun to thrive.
How far apart should I plant Cilantro? +
Space Cilantro plants 6 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.
How much water does Cilantro need? +
Cilantro has regular (keep moist) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.
Can you save seeds from Cilantro? +
Yes — seed saving difficulty for Cilantro is rated easy. Let plants bolt fully. Harvest seed heads when they turn brown but before they shatter. Cut seed heads into a bag and shake. Dry for 1 week before storing.
How long do Cilantro seeds last in storage? +
Properly dried and stored Cilantro seeds remain viable for up to 3 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.
Are Cilantro seeds open-pollinated? +
Yes — Cilantro is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.
About Cilantro
Quick to bolt in heat. Seeds (coriander) are also edible. Succession plant for continuous harvest.
Expect your Cilantro to be ready for harvest in approximately 45 days from planting.
Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.