Cilantro is the bright, citrusy herb at the heart of salsa and countless dishes, and the plant later gives coriander seed. It grows fast and prefers to be sown where it will stay.

When and how to plant

Cilantro is a cool-season herb that bolts in heat, so sow it directly around the last frost, as the dates above allow, and again in fall. Successive small sowings keep fresh leaves coming.

Care

Give it sun in spring and fall, some shade in summer heat, and steady moisture. It grows quickly and does best sown in place rather than transplanted.

Common problems

Rapid bolting in warm weather is the main frustration. Frequent small plantings and a bit of shade extend the leafy stage.

Harvest

Snip the outer leaves as you need them while the plant is young and lush. Once it flowers, let the seeds form and dry for coriander.

Growing Cilantro in containers

Cilantro grows well in pots, though it bolts quickly in hot weather. Choose a container at least 8 inches deep with drainage and a light, moisture-retentive potting mix. Water whenever the surface begins to dry, feed sparingly, and sow succession batches every two to three weeks for continued harvest.

Watering & feeding Cilantro

Give cilantro about 1 inch of water per week, adjusting for heat, wind, and rainfall. It has average water needs but bolts quickly when repeatedly drought-stressed in warm weather. Water gently at the base and keep the upper root zone evenly moist without making it soggy. Use mulch in warm weather, water containers more often because they dry faster, and look for wilting or dry soil from drought versus yellowing from excess moisture.

Cilantro is a light to moderate feeder that grows well in compost-amended garden soil. Balanced fertility is sufficient, and excessive nitrogen is usually unnecessary. Add compost before sowing or transplanting, then feed only lightly if growth is pale or soil is poor. Avoid repeated nitrogen feeding during its short growing season. Sow small batches every few weeks for a longer harvest. Keep plants cool and consistently watered to slow bolting.

Saving Cilantro seeds

Cilantro, also called coriander when grown for seed, generally comes true from open-pollinated or heirloom seed, but F1 hybrids do not. Let plants bolt and let the round seed clusters turn tan to brown, then cut the stems before they shatter and finish drying them in a paper bag. Rub or thresh the dry heads, screen out debris, and store fully dry seed in a cool, dark place. Cilantro seed commonly stays viable for about 2 to 3 years.

Cilantro companion plants

Grow cilantro near lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and brassicas such as broccoli. When allowed to flower, cilantro provides nectar and pollen for beneficial insects that can prey on aphids and caterpillars, and its short early-season growth fits between slower crops. Avoid placing it where taller plants will quickly shade it in cool weather, and avoid crowding it with heavy feeders that compete for moisture; specific crop-to-crop incompatibilities are less established for cilantro.

Frequently asked questions about Cilantro

General guidance for US home gardens. Reference figures are typical values; your exact timing depends on your local frost dates and variety. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.