Growing cilantro all year round seems really hard but it is not. Growing them in spring and fall is very easy, but in peak winter the plant dies and in peak summer it bolts, they only survive well between 20-30 degree celsius temperature. Well there are some ways like we can grow them indoors and make them survive all the way through winter. Cilantro is a herb that is used in garnishing salsa, but it also has multiple medicinal benefits.
Through this article I’ll tell you about cilantro, its benefits and every step of how to grow cilantro. You can also know the process to grow it indoors, harvest it, and tips to grow it all year around.
Quick Answer
To grow cilantro take coriander leaves and soak them for 3 to 4 hours then take a nitrogen rich soil and place 2 seeds together, cover with ¼ or ½ inches of soil and water it regularly, till it sprouts. Provide 3 to 4 hours of full sun.
What Is Cilantro? History, Origins and Uses
Coriander is a herb that has a sagey- lemony flavour. It is mainly used in garnishing slurry. It is a cool season crop but it will not survive freezy winter. The leaves and branches of this plant are called cilantro whereas the seeds are called coriander, which is also a spice used in vegetables. Outside the U.S. the leaves and seeds are both called coriander.
This herb originated in Israel 8000 years ago, it was first found in the caves. There is also reference to this herb in Egyptian history where it is called the spice of happiness. They also used to bury it with the emperors. The word cilantro comes from the Greek word koris, which means dead bug, it is because it smells that way.
This herb is mainly used in garnishing the slurry and foods, but as per the history it is claimed to have multiple medicinal benefits like it helps in digestive aids and ointment creams.
How to Grow Cilantro From Seeds: Step-by-Step Growing Guide
To grow cilantro, firstly you need coriander seeds, and soil that is loose, loamy and sandy. Spread the seeds, cover it with soil and water continuously, sprouting will start in 1 week.
For best results plant them in the spring season. They take almost 2 weeks for sprouting and for fully harvesting it takes between 45 to 60 days. However mature leaves start coming in 4 to 6 weeks that can be used in your food. The plant usually lasts 2 to 3 months almost, starting with sprouting, then harvesting, and lastly bolting.
Read the step by step process for planting and growing the seeds of cilantro.
Step 1: Take the seeds
The first step is to take the seeds. Choose healthy and fresh seeds for gardening. There are some varieties that are suitable for summer and have other properties, you can choose any of them. Next you have to soak them in water for 3 to 4 hours before transferring them to soil, so the outer layers can soften, soaking overnight will be the best, if the seeds have stopped floating then their outer layer is completely softened.
Step 2: Prepare the soil
Use loose soil that can drain the water easily and is also rich in organic matter. Cilantro grows best in loose, loamy and sandy soil. The ideal pH level of soil is between 6.2 to 6.8, it supports healthy growth. Before planting, loosen the soil and remove all the large clumps and stones. Too much sandy soil can lose water quickly whereas loamy soil will hold the water for a long time and can cause damage, having a perfect proportion of both is very important.
Step 3: Plant the Seeds
Now take the seeds and place them about ¼ to ½ inches below the surface level of soil. You can sow these seeds close to each other in the beginning. But also leave enough space between them for the seedling to develop. Then cover them with soil lightly and water the soil, so it can remain moist. In one week sprouting will start.
Step 4: Provide Sunlight
Young plants need 4 to 6 hours of consistent sunlight everyday. In peak summer keep them in shades or cover with awning . Too much heat can cause early bolting, if the temperature is too high keep it indoors and only provide afternoon sunlight, keep them away from heat waves to slow down the bolting process.
Step 5: Consistent Watering
The soil should be completely moist for 7 to 10 days. Don’t let the soil dry while germination will slow down the process. However it doesn’t mean drenching the soil everyday because then the seeds will rot just to provide enough moisture.
After sprouting the plant will need 1 inch of water every week. If there is rain, just maintain that 1 inches mark, excess water can cause root rotting and quick bolting.
Step 6: Ready to Harvest
Cilantro usually gets ready to harvest between 30 to 45 days the plants will start harvesting and till the 60th day it becomes fully harvested. You can start harvesting the leaves after the plant becomes 6 inches tall and let it grow again, this plant keeps harvesting for 90 days after which it starts bloating. Use sharp and clean tools for harvesting.
Unknown Facts
As the temperature rises the plant starts bolting. After the plant bolts it produces seeds you can gather the seeds and store them as it is they can be used for plantation in the next season.
How to Grow Cilantro Indoors: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
If you want to keep the flowers fresh in the peak summer season then plating inside home can be a better option. Please plant it in something that can be moved easily so you can put it in the sun easily for sometime of the day and take it back once done. Simple care will maximise the indoor yield.
Read the detailed process to plant cilantro indoor:
Step 1: Take a Pot or Box
Firstly choose a pot for growing plants. It should be 6 to 8 inches deep with drainage holes at the bottom. In aggressive summer plant it in movable pots so you can easily take it to the sunlight and take it back in. ensure the pot has proper drainage.
Step 2: Fill with Soil Mix
Fill up the pot with loose, loamy and sandy soil that can easily drain but is also rich in organic matter. Keep the soil slightly moist but ensure it is not waterlogged, as it can cause root rotting. Try to keep the pH level between 6.2 to 6.8, it will be suitable for healthy growth of cilantro. Don’t press the soil just dab with light hands while filling, having oxygen in the soil is important.
Step 3: Layer the Seeds
Scatter the seeds evenly in the soil and then cover it with a thin layer of soil. Keep it about ¼ inches deep. Gently press the soil and give water, don’t disturb the seeds till sprouting. After sprouting if the place is overcrowded then you can take them out carefully and place it in a different section. It takes almost 1-2 weeks to sprout.
Step 4: Sunlight
Keep the pot near a window that receives around 4 to 6 hours of sunlight everyday. If the temperature is becoming too high then only provide sunlight in the evening. Make sure they are not getting under heat waves, if some of the petals are bolting, then minimize the sunlight period.
Step 5: Watering
Keep the soil moist for the first 2 weeks and after that ensure that the above 1 inch of soil is moist. Always take care that there is no water logging and the drainage is not covered or intervened that is causing interruption in passing water.
Step 6: Harvesting
After the cilantro plant is 6 inches tall, then you can easily start harvesting, you can either harvest the outer stem only or you can harvest all the stems at once. You can easily harvest the plant 2 to 3 times after which the plant will start bolting and then you will get the seeds that you can keep for future planting or use it as a spice.
How to Harvest Cilantro So It Keeps Growing?
By harvesting the cilantro plants regularly you will encourage fresh growth. In harvesting you don’t cut the entire plant, just cut the stems and if you want you can only cut near the nodes. You can start harvesting after the plants reach 6 inches tall. Please use a sharp and clean pair of scissors.
For better growth people usually try two options, first one cutting all the stems till near the roots and second only cutting the outer layers and leaving the inner layers as it is. You can try any of them. Through regular harvesting you can prevent overcrowding and the plants will keep producing fresh leaves.
Tips for Growing Cilantro All Year Round
Growing the plant all year is easy if you provide the right temperature, proper light and water to the plant. The cilantro plant grows best in cool to mild weather that is 20-30 degree celsius, in summer it bolts quickly and in peak winter it dies.
Follow these tips so the plant can last longer than usual.
For continuous supply you have to sow the seeds every 2 to 3 weeks. This method ensures that they are ready to harvest plants every time. The harvesting period lasts 2 months and growing a plant while one is in use means till the first plant starts bolting, the second one will be ready to harvest.
Nextly provide 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily to the plant. If the temperature is high, afternoon shades will work the best. After sunlight focus on the water supply, keep the soil moist, don’t let the upper layers dry. Harvesting often will also help the growth and slow down the bolting process.
If you want to grow a cilantro plant in peak winter or summer then you must grow it inside and put them near the window for sunlight but in extreme heats just keep them in afternoon shades. Ensure that the pots have easy drainage to avoid water logging.
What Are the Benefits of Cilantro?
Cilantro is mainly a herb that is used for garnishing salsa and adding a bright color to the foods. As per the history this plant was used as a medicinal plant and under different cultures it was used for different purposes.
In the first century the leaves were used to heal sores or get rid of body parasites and sometimes even as an antidote for poison. Under Chinese culture this herb is used in the potion that is believed to provide immortality.
There are also multiple benefits of coriander like people use it in tea for digestive aid and it may have some sedative effects. The oil of this seed is used to remove the flavour of other medicines, in pain ointments, and it also has cholesterol lowering properties.
Conclusion
Temperature, water and sunlight are the 3 main factors you have to care for while planting a cilantro plant. Take good quality seeds and plant them in lossy, loam and sandy soil. They will take 7 days to sprout and under 3 to 4 weeks it will start harvesting. You can harvest the plant after it grows 6 inches tall.
You can also plant this indoors easily. There are multiple medicinal benefits of this plant and people use this from several eras. This plant can stay alive for 3 months and after that it will bolt and start seedling. If you have any queries, you can just leave a comment and we will try our best to help you.
FAQs
Does cilantro grow back after cutting?
Yes, after harvesting the leaves grow back again. You can simply just cut the stems and they will grow back green and healthy. It will not grow again if you take out the roots of the plant.
Should I let my cilantro flower?
Yes, those flowers later change into seeds that can be used for growing in the next season if you store them properly. These seeds are also used for garnishing and as a spice.
Are cilantro plants easy to grow?
Yes, it is easy to grow. Just take some seeds and spread them in the soil after soaking for 3 to 4 hours. Then cover with soil and keep the soil moist for 7 days and it will sprout easily.
Do you need to soak cilantro seeds before planting?
Yes, soak the cilantro for 3 to 4 hours and seeds are planted to ready. After that, plant them half an inch below the soil level and keep the soil moist for the next 7 days.
How long does it take for cilantro to grow from seed?
Within 1 week the seeds start to sprout in the 2nd and 3rd week the leaves are ready to harvest and you can harvest. In 45 to 60 days the seeds become fully harvested.
