Q&A for How to Grow Cilantro

If the plants don't have enough light, they can get "leggy". The plant is trying to grow taller and find light. This leads to thin plants that eventually fall over. Try placing the plants in an area with more sun or using a grow light.

Yes they can grow together in the same pot as long as there is enough space for each to get sunlight, and the pot is big enough that they do not become root bound.

Cilantro is naturally very resistant to the cold, it can easily handle temperatures ranging even to the low/mid 20s Fahrenheit.

It could be that it is getting too much water. Cilantro's soil should be moist, not wet -- it is a dry herb.

Most likely not. The seedlings might sprout, but the plants wouldn't grow. Cilantro needs full sun, about 6-10 hours a day.

Cilantro roots grow fairly deep even from a 3 inch tall plant. Thus, any small pot should be a pot 8 to 10 inches deep at a minimum.

Hang the cilantro in small bundles upside down in a dry area until they are dried out.

Cilantro is very susceptible to powdery mildew, so it is important to not wet the foliage. During rainy season, bring it indoors.

Cilantro seeds should last two years. If germination doesn't occur in 7 to 14 days, you'll know it isn't viable.

The container should be at least 8 to 10 inches deep or else it will not grow.

Yes. Egg shells provide phosphorus, which is very good for the growth of the plant. But only add egg shells after the plant grows somewhat big.

If you live in a region where it is hot in summer and cool (some frosty mornings) in winter, you may find that if your plant your coriander (cilantro) in the summer, it does tend to bolt to seed quite quickly. To get around this, plant your main crop in the autumn, giving it a good start before the winter hits (as long as you're in a non-snowy area) and then it will just keeps going through the winter. The frosts don't kill it but slow down or even stop its growth. For areas with snow, plant direct into containers.

No, just add some compost. You could add a little more topsoil if you feel it is not good, but compost will enrich the soil you already have.

Cilantro becomes yellow when is over watered. Cilantro does not like being moved from one container to another, and it becomes droopy due to water loss in the plant because of a different mineral/electrolytes concentration.

Yes, you can.

Plants cannot grow without water. It may survive for a few days, but it will die.

Yes. You can let your plant flower, although if it flowers it will not produce edible leaves. Once the flower dries out, you can harvest the seeds. You can then use the seeds in cooking or save them for the next growing season.

No, it cannot. Cilantro is a dry herb, so it can't have too much water. If you have to, use a clean spray bottle filled with water to keep it moist.

Use a spray bottle filled with lukewarm water and a few drops of liquid dish soap, and spray whenever necessary to control the pests. Encourage ladybugs, as they will eat the aphids. It's a good idea to buy a new empty spray bottle rather than using a discarded bottle whose original contents may be potentially harmful.

Yes, they should be beaten up to open the seeds.

Yes, but the flavor will not be as strong. If you freeze it, you'll need to use 2x more than fresh leaves. If you dry it, you'll need to use 3x more. If you put it in a container, it should last a year frozen, perhaps longer. Dried cilantro in a dry container will probably not maintain its flavor as long as frozen cilantro, as is true of most dried spices.

Cilantro turns yellow when it's over watered. Cilantro is a dry soil herb, it does not like a lot of water.

The most probable cause is lack of sunlight.

Yes, but they need to be seeds, not sold as spices.

Once it's like a tree, it has likely bolted. There is nothing that can be done. Let the seeds mature, then germinate them again.

Plant it in full sunlight and grow it outdoors or in a deep pot near a window with at least hours of direct sunlight.

You can harvest cilantro by cutting or pulling the leaves from the stems.

Short answer, no. Cilantro is a dryish soil plant. Overwatering will cause it to become yellow and sickly, and eventually to die.

No, they can’t. They need a lot of sunlight (6 - 10 hours); if this isn’t possible, then use a grow light instead.

I recommend cutting, washing, and letting it dry on newspaper overnight to dry it. Once it's properly dried, you can freeze it.