Growing Coriander, also Cilantro, Chinese parsley

Coriandrum sativum : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Coriander in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: Thin to 18 inches
  • Harvest in 30-45 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dill, Chervil, Anise, Cabbages, Carrots
  • Avoid growing close to: Fennel

Your comments and tips

02 Nov 20, First Time Farmer (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Fun tip - buy coriander seeds from your local Indian grocery store. It's much much cheaper than buying from seed stores or large grocery stores.
20 Jul 20, Anne Shaw (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi there I live close to the mountains in Central North Island and its quite a damp and cold climate. It also gets frosts here. Am wondering if its still okay to try grow Coriander in the garden (and cover on frosty nights) or if its better to grow inside due to the colder climate? Thanks
21 Jul 20, Nicole Botherway (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi there, I grow coriander in the garden over winter here in Christchurch where we get many frosts. This season my coriander has been frozen solid many mornings and has fared well, being even more prolific than in the autumn. I find corriander for me is a winter herb to grow. Good luck.
21 Jul 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Check the planting guide here for cool/mountain climate. The big white P (planting time) in the green monthly boxes at the top of the page. If you have frosts from NOV to FEB then give it a miss.
29 Sep 20, Andrea (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I have been growing coriander in Middlemarch for the past three years, and it gets through the winter with no damage. Plants from seed direct sown in autumn, while small, have handled frosts of minus 12 as well as regular minus 5 degrees. All the late summer and autumn self sown seed is looking good. (Sept). I am constantly surprised by its easy handling of extreme winter temperatures. Using my own seed now from original Kings Seeds - 'Indian Summer' ironically.
21 Apr 20, Lisa (USA - Zone 6a climate)
When can I plant cilantro plants? Zone 6a
22 Apr 20, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Check using your zone 6a eg www.gardenate.com/plant/Coriander?zone=16
26 Jan 20, Adam (Australia - temperate climate)
-- sounds a very good idea, but I don't' have huge garden so basically I know what I am growing. I just grow what I like to eat. ( I wish if I can grow some chicken and meat but yah doesn't work this way) . well, they are very big parsley seed. they look like parsley seeds but they are probably 3 times as big. I will sow them next week and see in a few months what are they if they ever grow. ---------------
27 Jan 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Gardening throws up many different things at us. The thing is to think about it from a different angle. All you can do is what you say, try planting them. I just tried planting seeds from a hybrid corn variety, they say they might not throw true to type. I had bicolour corn and yes I grew yellow corn, whitish corn and the yellow and white mix and I don't think it tasted as good as the hybrid. So I won't do that again. All about trying and learning.
16 Jan 20, Roger Davidon (Australia - temperate climate)
Various attempts to grow coriander in pots in Adelaide to no avail, could you please advise on growing conditions, watering, soil type and prep, fertiliser etc. Thank you very much
Showing 11 - 20 of 163 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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