Plant field guide
Cilantro
Cool-season herb with bright citrusy flavor essential in Mexican, Asian, and Indian cuisines. Seeds are coriander spice. Bolts quickly in heat.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Coriandrum sativum
- Sun
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 12 in (30 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spread
- 6 in (15 cm) – 10 in (25 cm)
- Spacing
- 6 in (15 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 2–11; average annual extreme minimum from -50°F (-45.6°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: no calendar months recorded.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Bolts fast in heat - succession plant every 2-3 weeks. 'Slow Bolt' and 'Santo' varieties resist bolting longer. Grow in fall for best results.
Pruning
Harvest outer leaves regularly. Allow some plants to flower and seed for coriander harvest and self-sowing.
Fertilizer
Light balanced organic
At planting only
Mulch
2 inches of mulch to keep roots cool.