Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
Coriander (Cilantro)
- Position: partial shade or sun
- Soil: well-drained soil
- Flowering period: July to August
- Height: 40-50cm
- Foliage: deciduous
- Hardiness: not hardy
Coriander is a popular herb, grown for its leaves and seeds. The leaves are delicious in curries and stews. The aromatic seeds are often used in Asian recipes.
How to sow coriander
Coriander can be sown in pots or in the ground. Sow the seeds outside from April to late August, directly into the soil, 1cm deep. Cover with a little soil and water gently. Outside, germination will take about 3 weeks. Plants should be ready to harvest 6 to 7 weeks, after sowing.
If you use lots of leaves, best to re-sow every 2 or 3 weeks during the growing season.
coriander after germination Flowers of coriander
How to grow
Coriander performs best when grown in partial shade or in a sunny position, in well-drained soil. During dry weather keep the soil moist, but don’t overwater it. Damp soil also prevents the plant to bolt (flower prematurely).
This leafy herb produces small, white flowers from July to August. After flowering green seeds will emerge, maturing to brown.
Bear in mind that coriander is an annual herb that is not frost-hardy. The plant dies down at the end of the growing season.
Harvesting coriander
Harvest the leaves individually. Or cut off the stalks with the leaves to 5cm above the soil.
Leave on some stems with leaves. Then the coriander plant starts to grow again.
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