Planting herbs in your garden or kitchen is a great way to start growing your own produce without having to commit long-term to a vegetable patch. Basil, mint, and rosemary are all excellent options, but if you’re looking to take your green thumb to the next level, why not try cilantro? In fact, you'll be able to reap double the benefits of your efforts, since cilantro and coriander come from the same plant.

“You really do get a double bang for your buck with the vegetable because you're able to harvest the leaves for cooking, and then the flower’s seeds are great for baking,” says Adam Weiss, a Master Gardener and founder of Pike Lane Farms.

Cilantro is an adaptable herb, ideal for novice gardeners and those looking to level up their companion planting alike. If you’re looking to grow it outdoors, cilantro is a very fast-growing plant, so the results are seemingly instantaneous—gardening rarely comes with such instant gratification. To help you have success with this flavorful herb at home, read on to explore our expert-approved guide on how to grow cilantro, from seed to harvest.

Cilantro Basics

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How to Plant Cilantro

Weiss recommends starting cilantro from seed, rather than buying a mature plant from your local garden center. The roots are quite fragile, so transporting or repotting cilantro can prevent it from taking root again and growing any further. As a fast grower, cilantro only takes 40 days or so from germination until it’s ready for harvest. “Germinating takes anywhere from nine to twelve days after you place the seeds,” Weiss says.

When planting the seeds outdoors in a garden bed, aim for three inches apart and a half-inch deep. “If it's in a container, you could take 15 seeds, similar to how you would sprinkle salt, and drop them randomly into the container,” says Weiss. Water thoroughly, and then let the seeds do their thing. You should begin to see sprouts in a few weeks. Weiss says that it's totally normal to see sprouts from about half the seeds that you planted.

How to Grow Cilantro at Home

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Soil

Cilantro prefers a rich, well-draining potting soil (not gardening soil!) if you’re planting it in a container. Gardening soil is fine for outside, but it won’t retain water as well, and the nutrient quality of potting soil is better designed for plants grown separately. “There are different quality potting soils that have nutrients in them. If you're going into your outdoor garden bed, you wanna make sure that the soil is well-draining, and that it's been composted so that you have those nutrients,” Weiss says.

Sunlight

Sunlight is very important for cilantro. Place your plant in a sunny spot. Full sun is preferred—this means nearly six hours of direct sunlight per day—but light shade can be tolerated, especially in hotter climates. Indoors, cilantro does best on a windowsill or south-facing room where the sunlight is most direct.

Water

When grown in a container, cilantro’s soil needs to dry out completely before you water it again. Weiss recommends the classic finger test. Place your finger into the potting soil, down to the first or second knuckle, and check for moisture. If it’s dry, it’s time to water. Weiss says that a typical watering routine for cilantro is about once a week or so. Outside, rainfall will cover your bases, but during especially dry or hot weeks, it’s okay to run the sprinkler. Crispy leaves will be your sign for too little water, and yellowing leaves will tell you when it has had too much.

Fertilizer

Planting your cilantro in a rich gardening soil that has already had compost added is Weiss’s standard practice. A dash of fertilizer to your garden bed at the beginning of spring can be a great way to spark a new season of growth, but it’s not necessary for cilantro. This plant can sprout up almost anywhere.

Temperature and Humidity

Cilantro loves humidity and warm temperatures, but anything higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit can be too much. “When it gets too hot, the plant will grow very quickly in what we call a bolt,” says Weiss. “It will spur the growth of flowers, and the taste of the leaves becomes very bitter, and that's what happens when it gets to summer.” When grown outdoors, cilantro really only lasts until late June or early July. “The caveat on cilantro is that if the weather gets hot quicker, your lifespan is shorter,” he continues. “If it's a cool spring...you'll have a heck of a lot of cilantro.”

How to Harvest Cilantro and Coriander

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Once your cilantro sprouts and begins growing, it’s important to wait until the plant is at least six inches tall before you begin pruning or harvesting the leaves. Because of its short lifespan, Weiss harvests the entire plant at once. “Some people say that if you trim the plant back by a third, it’ll grow back, but because the growing span is so short, the weather may be too hot before you’re able to harvest again,” he explains. Weiss simply takes the entire plant out of the ground and trims off the roots, washes it, and stores it in the refrigerator until he’s ready to use it. However, once harvested, cilantro will only keep for a few weeks.

Coriander seeds come at the very end of the plant’s lifecycle. “You'll let the plant completely brown out. Then, take a paper plate or a bowl or something and kinda like shake the top of the plant and the seeds will go into the bowl,” Weiss says. “Dry them out in a cool and dark place, not in the sun. And then you could either put them in a seed packet, keep them for the following year, or you could put them in one of those spice jars and use coriander in your cooking and baking.”

Common Cilantro Pests and Problems

Cilantro isn’t a plant typically sought after by garden pests, rabbits, and deer. However, Weiss warns against curious aphids and cabbage loopers. “Because of the smell, aphids come to them early, but it's not like an attackable plant, which is good for pest management,” Weiss says. Keep an eye on your plant and use whatever methods you’re comfortable with (whether neem oil or pest sprays) on the rest of your plants throughout the growing season.

FAQs on Growing Cilantro

What is the trick to growing Cilantro?

Cilantro thrives in a lot of warmth and sunlight. As long as you ensure your plant gets at least six to eight hours of bright sunlight per day and you water regularly, your cilantro plant should thrive.

Should I grow cilantro indoors or outdoors?

When grown inside, you’ll have more control and less exposure to pests, but your cilantro plant won’t be able to grow as large or as full. Getting your plant to flower indoors is also tricky, as there is often not enough consistent sunlight and warmth. However, cilantro makes for a perfect countertop herb if you just want to harvest a few leaves every week for recipes.

Does cilantro grow back after cutting?

Yes! When pruned properly (see "How to Harvest" section above for expert direction), cilantro grows back quickly and fully. However, when grown outdoors, the weather may be too hot for the plant to grow back fully for a second harvest. Wait until your plant is at least six inches tall before cutting to allow the roots enough time to settle and take hold.

Should I let my cilantro flower?

Cilantro flowers are not only very pretty, they’re also super beneficial for local pollinators. If you’re growing this plant for coriander seeds, the flowers are a necessary part of this process. Once a cilantro plant flowers, the cilantro leaves become very bitter, and it’s not recommended to eat them after this point. However, indoors, the plant may not have enough room or sunlight to fully flower, but you’ll still have plenty of leaves to harvest.