- Plant Info
Botanical name: Coriandrum sativum
Cilantro is a cool season crop that does best during fall and spring. It will turn to seed, a process called ‘bolting’, once the temperature exceeds 80°F.
The mature cilantro reaches 1-2 feet high, and doesn’t need a trellis. Cilantro should not need fertilization. Overfertilization can result in a reduction in flavor. Mulching is optional.
Every part of the cilantro plant is edible, from root to leaf to seeds. Prior to planting, you can optionally soak the seeds in room temperature water for 8-24 hours.
- How To Sow
If you are sowing in early spring, sow in a location with full sun. If you wish to be able to harvest for longer, sow in a location with partial shade.
Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and 1-2 inches apart in cool, well-draining soil. Well-draining soil may be a pot with a hole in the bottom, or a tray with gravel beneath the soil, allowing excess water to collect or drain away.
- After Planting
This seed germinates in 3-7 days. Keep consistently moist as the seeds germinate. Once the seeds have sprouted and grown at least one set of true leaves, thin them to 6-8 inches by snipping off their stems at the soil line to allow for mature growth.
- Harvest Time
After 50-55 days, you should be able to harvest the leaves, and after 60 days, the plant will begin to produce seeds.
Cilantro is ready to harvest when it reaches about 6 inches tall. It is recommended to pick the older, outer leaves first and allow younger inner leaves to mature. It is NOT recommended to harvest by pinching off the stem with your fingers, as this can injure the plant. Harvest using garden shears or kitchen scissors and cut the stem about 1-2 inches from the base.
R.O.C.K.-Roots Of Care and Kindness Mutual Aid Group 