10 Tips for Growing Your Own Cilantro

In my home, cilantro ends up in salsa, salads or as garnish. At certain times - when cilantro costs nearly a dollar a bundle - I vow to grow my own. Last year I tried, but had poor results. Since then, I've learned a few things about growing this Mexican herb. It's a bit tricky, but cilantro is easy enough to grow in a home garden or container pot, when you know some cilantro basics. Here are 10 tips to help you grow cilantro with good results.

Cilantro Tip #1: Start from Seed

The first tip is to understand that cilantro doesn't transplant well. It seems to go into shock. After three transplants died on me, I finally decided to plant cilantro seeds. I planted seeds about an inch deep, and cilantro plants were up in no time.

Cilantro Tip #2: Keep Roots Cool

But I was disappointed with my cilantro. What I didn't know was how quickly cilantro goes to seed when the soil temperature gets warmer than about 75 degrees. Keeping the roots cool is the secret to growing cilantro successfully, and that was one secret I didn't know last year.

Cilantro Tip #3: Shelter from Hot Sun

Since then, I've learned how to keep cilantro roots cool. Roots can be kept cool by growing cilantro in the early spring or late summer when soil temperatures are not so hot. Cilantro likes less-hot morning sun. Afternoon sun can be too hot for the plant. A little shade is nice for cilantro or filtered sunlight through the branches of a tree. Spacing cilantro seeds closer together helps each plant shade the next one too.

Cilantro Tip #4: Prepare Soil and Provide Mulch

Mulch helps keep roots cooler, discourages weeds, and locks in moisture. But a soil that doesn't drain well, invites disease. Cilantro, a member of the parsley family, likes a cool soil that drains well. Watering once or twice a week is sufficient. Cilantro also likes a spot out of the wind and a nutrient-rich growing medium. The addition of compost adds organic compounds to the soil that helps cilantro thrive.

Cilantro Tip #5: Encourage Greens with Nitrogen

Higher amounts of nitrogen fertilizer can also produce some fantastic greens. Nitrogen helps leaf development, and that's what I want out of my cilantro. I don't grow cilantro for the coriander seeds--I want greens. That's what frustrated me last year. I got a whole lot of small white flowers and only one cutting of greens.

Cilantro Tip #6: Cut off Flower Heads

Since last year, I've learned that cilantro goes to seed quickly, and that flowers will happen in no time in warm soil. Cutting off the flower heads means the plant's energy goes into producing greens.

Cilantro Tip #7: Harvest in Sections

Another tip I've picked up is to harvest about a third of the leaves at one time--leaving the rest for consecutive cuttings. Taking the outside stalks and letting the inside smaller greens grow, helps cilantro keep producing. Another trick to encourage on-going cilantro growth is to let some cilantro reseed itself. Since it goes to seed so quickly, a gardener can get several plantings in one summer.

Cilantro Tip #8: Discourage Pests

Cilantro has a deep tap root and the roots intertwine. This helps each plant be a strong plant. But cilantro stalks can grow hard--as mine did when they went to seed in the high heat of summer. In addition, cilantro can also become infected with disease or pests. Whitefly and aphids can be minimized with a soap or spray for edibles. However, it may be better to start over, if infestation is too serious. Furthermore, you could lose your cilantro to cute little pests too. Rabbits love cilantro--so keeping them out of the garden means more greens for you and less being nibbled away.

Cilantro Tip #9: Save Your Seed

Cilantro may grow as high as 3 feet tall; plan on that when you choose your garden space. When flower heads are mature and seeds are dry and brown, husks split open. Cut them off and toss them into a brown bag to catch the seeds. Dry seeds can be replanted right away or saved for next year's crop. Your main concern is to avoid planting when there is threat of frost.

Cilantro Tip #10: Enjoy Your Harvest

When stalks are at least 6 inches tall, cut cilantro off at ground level. The best time to enjoy cilantro is when it's fresh. You can dry cilantro, but dried leaves lose flavor. I've even heard of cooks freezing cilantro in ice cube trays. When they want tasty cilantro, they thaw an ice cube and have flavorful greens any time of the year.

With these 10 cilantro tips, you can grow cilantro in your garden or in a container pot on the patio. You can hang harvested cilantro upside down to dry, you can freeze it, you can harvest the seeds for spice or for replanting, or you can enjoy cilantro leaves fresh out of your garden. Why not grow cilantro this year?