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 S             S S S S
T T               T T T
P P             P P P P

(Best months for growing Coriander in South Africa - Humid sub-tropical 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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: Thin to 45 cm
  • Harvest in 30-45 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dill, Chervil, Anise, Cabbages, Carrots
  • Avoid growing close to: Fennel
  • Coriander/Cilantro
  • Coriander flowers

Broadcast sow and thin to 45 cm apart. Grows to about 60 cm.

Harvest 30 - 45 days

A half-hardy herb with feathery leaves.

Grows more reliably from seeds as coriander is liable to bolt to flower and seed when seedlings are transplanted.

Coriander is frost tender but it doesn't like extreme heat. So in temperate zones grow coriander during summer, in sub-tropical/tropical zones grow it during the cooler season.

Needs a sunny spot and mulch to prevent drying out. Keep very well watered. If they dry out, then they will bolt to seed. Plant in successions (planting new seed every few weeks) to get a continuous supply.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Coriander

Use the leaves to flavour hot meals or add fresh to salads.
The seeds can be dried and ground up for curries.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for South Africa | for all countries
17 Oct 23, Vaughn (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
You say that harvest is in 30 to 45 days….is that from seed or from germination?
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22 Nov 23, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Probably from germination - you will work it out.
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28 Nov 18, Jeremy (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Durban coriander is very tasty and fragrant. The coriander we buy in Cape Town has no flavour and no taste ! Any idea why ? I just throw it away. Durban is sub tropical, and Cape Town is Mediterranean. Thanks, Jeremy Anderson, Cape Town.
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21 Sep 22, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Kwazulu-Natal receives more annual rainfall than that of the Western Cape. Their average annual temperatures are 21 degrees celsius and 14 degrees celsius respectively. East of 25 degree longitude(KZN), soils have formed under wet summers and dry winters. The weather and soil types are the main reason why grapes aren't as successfully grown in KZN as they are in the Western Cape. It all boils down soil type and weather.
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20 Dec 17, Malcolm Naidoo (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I want to grow Coriander, mint and curry leaf for the purposes of wholesale. Any tips on where do I start with regards to growing them.
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19 Aug 17, Themba (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Is it true that boiling corriander and drinking its water helps in curing prostrate cancer?
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16 Apr 17, Makhetha (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is there any need to plant coriander in rows?
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17 Apr 17, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
No, Mother Nature doesn't grow anything in rows.
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See comments for all plants

You can plant cilantro all year; during cooler season you may start in tray/cups whatever method and plant out when it's about one inch tall. And if you have hot weather like us in California, you can direct sow the seeds anyplace in the garden, walk around and take a good look see, anyplace where there's shade, drop some seeds. I direct sow in my containers under the zucchini, around the tomatoes, under the marigolds (my marigolds are three feet tall), basically, anyplace in the shade, and remember, cilantro is cut and come again, pick often, because if you let it grow to coriander (to seed-can grow to five feet tall), then you can save the seeds after you let the plant dry out save the flowers because they become seeds. You can get hundreds of seeds from just one plant. Good luck!

- Sandra G.

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