Melinda Myers

Cilantro

Botanical Name

Coriandrum sativum

Hardiness

Annual

Height

24 inches

Flowers

Summer: white

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Cilantro seeds germinate in soil temperatures of 55 F to 68 F
• Sow seeds in a sunny and (if possible) cooler location in the garden. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep, 10 to 15 seeds per foot of row. Space rows 18 to 24 inches apart.
• Thin seedlings to 8 inches
• Successively sow seeds every 2 to 3 weeks from early spring up until early summer for a continual harvest of foliage
• Because hot summer temperatures accelerate bolting (flower and seed development), resume sowing again in early autumn once temperatures have cooled
• Cilantro can also be planted in the garden as transplants. Space plants 8 to 12 inches apart.
• Mulch around the plants to suppress weeds, retain moisture and keep soil temperatures cooler
• Pinch back young plants and remove any flower stems to encourage fuller growth and to delay bolting

Problems

None serious

Varieties

• Slow Bolting & Leisure - slow to bolt, use when you are looking to harvest the leaves.