Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, cilantro is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing cilantro.
Note that cilantro and coriander come from the same plant. Cilantro typically refers to the leaves and stems, while coriander consists of the seeds on the flowerheads at the end of the plant's life.
Jump to:
Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Cilantro Belong To?
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) belongs to the Apiaceae family, also known as the carrot or parsley family.
Some of its relatives include carrots, fennel, and celery.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Cilantro?
The minimum container depth recommended for cilantro is 6 inches.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Cilantro?
Some of cilantro's best companions are as follows:
- Lavender
- Mints such as peppermint and spearmint
- Basil
- Tulsi
- Sage
- Thyme
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Chard
- Peas
- Tomato
- Potato
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Cilantro?
Cilantro is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with cilantro are as follows:
You may notice that these are fellow carrot family members. See our Apiaceae Family page here to learn why that is the case.
What Soil Conditions Does Cilantro Need?
Cilantro prefers rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Its ideal pH range is 6.2 to 6.8.
How Long Does Cilantro Take to Germinate?
Cilantro takes 5-10 days to germinate at a temperature of 55-70°F.
How Much Sun Does Cilantro Need?
Cilantro can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and cilantro grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Cilantro Need?
Cilantro needs 1 inch of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Cilantro?
Cilantro grows fastest in temperatures of 50-85°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Cilantro is particularly sensitive to temperatures over 85°F. It is likely to bolt in hot weather, even during a brief heatwave. Of course, some varieties are more heat-sensitive than others.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some cilantro varieties are bred for late harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Cilantro Get?
The average height of cilantro is 1-3 feet.
Is Cilantro Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Most cilantro varieties are annual herbs, meaning that they start and end their lives in the same year.
A few varieties are biennial, meaning that their life cycles span 2 years, and they flower, produce seed, and die in their second year.
How Does Cilantro Reproduce?
Cilantro reproduces by seed.
How Much Cilantro and Coriander Are Produced Per Plant?
For cilantro and coriander, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type, variety, and growing conditions.
Most of them produce 10-20 small leaves (cilantro) and 1-3 flowerheads full of seeds (coriander) per plant.
Can Cilantro Be Ingested?
Cilantro leaves, stems, flowers, roots, and seeds (coriander) are edible.
All parts of the plant have nervine and antispasmodic properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea, vinegar, and oil. A herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:4 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a cilantro or coriander tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting cilantro or coriander.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of cilantro rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for cilantro here!
Cilantro is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: