Cilantro
Coriandrum sativum
Cilantro leaf is a cool-season annual herb that bolts to coriander seed when days lengthen and heat arrives. Frequent sowings every 14 days maintain fresh foliage for a few weeks per planting, with direct seed sown about 1.3 cm deep from several weeks before the last frost through the frost date.
Plant family Apiaceae · Also called coriander leaf
Explore this profile
Jump directly to the growing detail you need.
Sow frequently in cool, short days.
Direct sow about 1.3 cm deep outdoors from four weeks before the last frost through the frost date. Germination takes 7–14 days.
Light frost tolerance allows early sowing. Resow every 14 days because individual plantings finish quickly once bolting starts.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use dense rows for leaf cuts.
Thin to 5–10 cm between plants with rows about 30 cm. Leafy habit stays low; dense sowing suits leaf harvest before bolting.
Containers with 20 cm depth and 5 litres work for patio herbs. Good drainage prevents damping off in cool wet soil.
Core measurements
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Allow for the mature form of the selected variety.
Install support early when it is required or useful.
Expect bolting as days lengthen.
Four hours of direct sun minimum is listed. Bright cool weather extends leaf harvest; heat shortens it regardless of water.
Moderate water at 25–35 mm weekly with pH 6.0–7.0. The key tip warns that hot long days trigger bolting.
Sunlight
Part sun tolerant (4+ direct-sun hours/day)
Soil pH
A suitable acidity range for general growth.
Weekly water
Moderate water need.
Aim for even moisture and water deeply when the upper 2-3 cm of soil begins to dry.
Treat each sowing as a short window.
Leaves are usable in 30–55 days from sowing. Cut stems above the base for modest regrowth before flowering.
Bolted plants set coriander seed if left; that is a different harvest stage than leaf cilantro.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Sow small batches frequently because plants bolt quickly as days become hot and long.
Cilantro growing questions
Why does cilantro bolt in summer?
Heat and long days trigger flowering. Frequent sowings in cool weather help per the key tip.
Is cilantro transplanted?
This profile uses direct sowing in the outdoor frost window.
What is the succession interval?
14 days between sowings to replace bolted plants.
Does cilantro tolerate frost?
Light frost tolerance is listed, milder than hardy chives.
Profile values are crop-level planning ranges compiled from sources S2,S3,S4. Local climate and variety can change actual results.
Explore another crop
Compare cilantro with other vegetables, herbs, and fruits in Crop Brief.
Browse all 50 crops