Growing and Harvesting Coriander (aka Cilantro)

Coriander is a wonderful addition to any herb garden and is relatively easy herb to grow. In the Americas the coriander plant is also known as cilantro or occasionally as Chinese parsley. The entire plant including the leaves, roots and seeds is edible. Typically the leaves of the plant and referred to as cilantro while the dried fruit is referred to as coriander seed.

Coriander is often used in Indian curries or Mediterranean dishes and helps to give them their distinctive flavor. The leaves of the plant are used to flavor many South American dishes as well, including salsa. Interestingly, coriander is also used in gin, beer, liqueurs, perfumes, condiments, sausage and desserts as well.

As far as medicinal use goes, coriander is most often used as a flavoring to help mask the unpleasant flavors of other ingredients or drugs. Some people find relief from arthritis pain by taking coriander, and many swear by it as an aid for nausea or upset stomachs.

It is one of the oldest used herbs, having been used as early as 5000 B.C. There are also mentions of coriander in the old testament of the bible.

Coriander or cilantro is relatively easy to plant and grow. It prefers warm, dry soil and loves lots of light. It may be difficult to grow in humid climates since it prefers a drier environment.

The plant, Coriandrum Sativum, is an annual and grows anywhere from about 1-3 feet high depending upon the growing conditions. It does not take well to transplanting so it is best to plant the seeds directly where you want them to grow.

Plant in the late spring when the soil is warm. Space the seeds about 8-10 inches apart and plant them at a depth of about 1/2". Cover lightly with soil and water them. The seeds usually take about 2 weeks to germinate, plus or minus a few days.

You can begin harvesting the leaves off the coriander plant when it has grown to about 4-5 inches tall. Like most herbs, harvesting the leaves will encourage new growth.

To harvest the seeds from the plant, wait until the flowers have turned brown but the seeds have not yet fallen. Cut down the entire plant and hang it upside down to dry completely. When the plants are dry, shake the seeds loose into a bag. If the coriander seeds are not completely dry they will have a bitter taste.