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Cilantro

Coriandrum sativum

Cilantro is a delicate leafy herb with feathery, triangular green foliage that reaches harvest maturity in 16-25 days. The plant produces thin, lacy stems bearing distinctive serrated leaves with a bright, citrusy flavor profile that carries subtle soapy notes and fresh herbal undertones. Cilantro thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, fertile soil. As a quick-maturing heirloom variety, it's ideal for succession planting throughout the growing season. Widely used in Latin American, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines as a fresh garnish and flavor component in salsas, curries, and chutneys.

Harvest

16-25d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Cilantro in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 herb →

Zone Map

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Cilantro · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil

pH6.2-6.8

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorBright, citrusy, slightly soapy with fresh herbal notes

ColorBright green feathery leaves

Size26 g

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 2	April – May	June – August	—	August – September
Zone 11	January – January	January – March	—	March – December
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December

Succession Planting

Direct sow cilantro every 14–21 days from your last frost date through mid-spring, then stop once daytime highs are consistently above 85°F — the plant bolts fast in heat, and no amount of extra watering slows it down. Pick back up with sowings in late summer, about 8–10 weeks before your first fall frost, and you'll get a second productive stretch as temperatures drop back into the 60s and 70s.

In zone 7, that translates to a spring run from roughly late February through April, a summer gap, then fall sowings starting in August. A single sowing gives you about 3–4 weeks of usable leaf harvest before the plant sends up a flower stalk, so staggering is the only way to keep a steady supply rather than a brief glut followed by nothing but seeds.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Loam (Silt). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Coriander seeds ripen in round, yellow-brown pod

Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow. Length: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Edibility: Leaves, stems, flowers and seeds are edible. Leaves/flowers as an herb and seeds (Coriander) as a spice.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh cilantro leaves are extremely perishable and best used within 3-5 days of harvest. Store unwashed leaves in the refrigerator by placing stems in a glass of water and covering loosely with a plastic bag. Change the water every 2-3 days. Alternatively, wrap clean, dry leaves in slightly damp paper towels and store in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer.

For longer preservation, freezing works better than drying since cilantro loses most of its flavor when dried. Freeze whole leaves in ice cube trays with water or oil, or chop and freeze in small portions using freezer bags. The texture changes but flavor remains intact for cooking applications.

Consider making cilantro paste by blending leaves with a small amount of oil and freezing in ice cube trays. This method preserves color and flavor beautifully for up to six months and works perfectly for adding to soups, curries, and marinades.

History & Origin

Origin: Western Mediterranean, Southern Europe, Western Asia

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies, Predatory Insects
+Edible: Leaves, stems, flowers and seeds are edible. Leaves/flowers as an herb and seeds (Coriander) as a spice.
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

Carrots share root depth with cilantro without much competition, and if you let a few plants bolt, the flower umbels pull in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that hunt aphids and leaf miners — which happen to be two of cilantro's own pest problems. Spinach and lettuce fit neatly underneath: both are short, both tolerate partial shade, and they'll occupy the ground-level space without fighting for water. Chives tucked nearby add a mild allium deterrent for aphid pressure. One note on dill: if you're growing cilantro to seed, keep the two at least 10 feet apart to prevent cross-pollination muddying both crops. For leaf harvest only, they coexist without issue.

Fennel belongs on the far side of the garden. Its roots release allelopathic compounds that suppress germination and can stunt nearby plants — cilantro is sensitive enough that you'll notice the difference in seedling vigor within the first 3 weeks. Rosemary and lavender aren't chemically aggressive, but both want dry, slightly alkaline conditions around pH 6.5–7.5, while cilantro needs consistent moisture and a tighter pH window of 6.2–6.8. Trying to water for both in the same bed means one of them loses.

Plant Together

Spinach

Provides shade for cilantro in hot weather, preventing early bolting

Chives

Repels aphids and other pests that commonly attack cilantro

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps

Anise

Improves cilantro germination and growth when planted nearby

Tomatoes

Cilantro repels spider mites and aphids that damage tomato plants

Lettuce

Both prefer cool conditions and lettuce provides ground cover

Carrots

Cilantro attracts beneficial insects that prey on carrot fly

Peas

Nitrogen fixation by peas benefits cilantro growth

Keep Apart

Fennel

Inhibits cilantro growth through allelopathic compounds

Lavender

Requires different watering needs and may compete for nutrients

Rosemary

Prefers dry conditions while cilantro needs consistent moisture

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

2.13g(4%)

Fiber

2.8g(10%)

Carbs

3.67g(1%)

Fat

0.52g(1%)

Vitamin C

27mg(30%)

Vitamin A

337mcg(37%)

Vitamin K

310mcg(258%)

Iron

1.77mg(10%)

Calcium

67mg(5%)

Potassium

521mg(11%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169997)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to most diseases

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, leaf miners

Diseases

Bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, damping off

Troubleshooting Cilantro

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapse at soil level — stems go black and shrunken, roots brown and slimy, sometimes white fuzzy mold on the soil surface

Likely Causes

Damping off — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia species, thriving in cold, wet, poorly-drained soil
Overwatering or starting seeds in trays without adequate drainage

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected seedlings immediately; don't compost them
2.Let the top inch of soil dry slightly between waterings — cilantro wants consistent moisture, not soggy
3.Start future batches in fresh, sterile seed-starting mix and make sure trays drain freely; NC State's organic gardening guidance flags damping off as highly tied to waterlogged conditions

Leaves develop a white powdery coating, usually appearing first on older foliage as temperatures climb past 80°F

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew — a fungal infection that spreads by airborne spores and accelerates when plants are crowded or airflow is poor
Sowing too late into warm weather, which stresses the plant and lowers its resistance

What to Do

1.Thin plants to at least 4 inches apart to open up airflow
2.Cut the plant back by one-third to remove heavily colonized growth before spores spread to neighboring rows
3.Move your next sowing earlier — cilantro germinates best at soil temps between 50–85°F, and late plantings pushed into summer heat are, per NC State Extension guidance, especially prone to late-season fungal problems

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does cilantro take to grow?▼

Cilantro grows remarkably fast, with harvestable leaves ready in just 3-4 weeks from seed. Full maturity for both leaves and seeds occurs in 50-55 days. For continuous harvests, succession plant every 2-3 weeks during cool weather seasons.

Can you grow cilantro in containers?▼

Absolutely! Cilantro grows excellently in containers at least 6-8 inches deep to accommodate its taproot. Use well-draining potting mix and choose containers that hold at least 1-2 gallons of soil. Container growing actually helps control bolting by making it easier to move plants to cooler locations during hot weather.

Why does my cilantro keep bolting?▼

Cilantro bolts (goes to seed) when stressed by heat, long days, drought, or root disturbance. Plant in cool weather, provide afternoon shade in warm climates, maintain consistent soil moisture, and always direct sow rather than transplant. Choose slow-bolt varieties for extended harvests.

Is cilantro good for beginners?▼

Yes, cilantro is excellent for beginning gardeners. It's fast-growing, requires minimal care, and has few pest problems. The main challenge is timing plantings for cool weather and managing its tendency to bolt in heat, but these are easily learned skills.

When should I plant cilantro?▼

Plant cilantro in early spring 2-3 weeks before the last frost, and again in late summer for fall harvests. In zones 9-11, plant throughout fall and winter. Avoid planting during summer heat as plants will bolt immediately.

What does cilantro taste like?▼

Fresh cilantro has a bright, citrusy flavor with herbal complexity. However, genetics play a role – about 14% of people perceive cilantro as soapy or unpleasant due to variations in smell receptor genes. Most describe it as fresh, lemony, and slightly peppery.