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Cilantro Growing Guide0% read

Cilantro Growing Guide

Cilantro is a great next step in your growing journey. Follow this guide from planting to harvest and you'll do great.

ModerateHerbAnnual~50 days to maturityCool Season
Cilantro illustration

At a Glance

Difficulty

Moderate

Category

Herb

Sun Exposure

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tender

Growing Zones

Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Plant Family

Apiaceae

Growing Season

Cool Season

Plant Lifecycle

Annual

Also grows well as

Leafy GreenMedicinalPollinatorCulinary Herb
Cilantro

When To Start

First Chance to Plant

30 Days Before Last Frost

Last Chance to Plant

30 Days Before First Frost

When should you plant Cilantro?

Your planting dates depend on where you live. Sign up to unlock dates personalized to your location.

Your Cilantro Planting Window

Start planting

May 15, 2026

Last chance

Sep 10, 2026

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The Journey Ahead

Cilantro's Lifecycle

Cilantro seedling
1

Seedling

Cilantro mature
2

Mature Plant

Cilantro seeds
3

Seed Production


Step 1

Prepare Your Space

0.5 cm

Seeding Depth

15 cm

Plant Spacing

30 cm

Row Spacing

9

Plants / Sq Ft

Vertical Growing

Yes – Tower.

Method: Tower.

Succession Planting

Yes.

Good Companions

Bad Companions


Step 2

Planting & Sprouting

Expect sprouts in 714 days

Growing Tips

  • 1Cilantro thrives in full sun but can tolerate some light shade, especially in hot climates.
  • 2Water it regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • 3Use well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, and space plants about 6 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.
  • 4To manage pests, encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and use insecticidal soap if necessary.
Cilantro seedling

Seedling Phase


Step 3

Growth & Maturity

~50

Days to Maturity

50 cm

Mature Height

30 cm

Mature Width

Pests to Watch For

Aphidsspider miteswhitefliescutwormsarmyworms

Diseases to Watch For

Damping-offPowdery mildewLeaf spotRoot rotBacterial leaf spot
Cilantro mature plant

Mature Plant

Step 4

Harvesting

Harvest Window

21 days

When to Pick

Harvest leaves before bolting

How to Harvest

  • 1Harvest cilantro when the leaves are bright green and before the plant starts to flower.
  • 2Use scissors to cut the outer stems about 1-2 inches above the soil, leaving the inner stems to continue growing.
  • 3Avoid pulling the plant from the ground to prevent damage and encourage regrowth.

Step 5

Saving Seeds

How to Save Seeds

Saving seeds from your cilantro plant is easy and rewarding! Once your cilantro flowers and forms round, green seed pods (called coriander), let them dry on the plant until they turn brown and start to split. Gently snip the seed heads and place them in a paper bag, then shake to release the seeds. Let the seeds dry for a few more days in a cool, dry spot, then store them in a labeled envelope or glass jar in a dark, dry place. You’ve just taken the first step toward a self-sustaining garden—saving seeds is something every grower can do!

Cilantro seed production

Seed Production

Cilantro seeds

Feeling inspired?

Grow Cilantro from seed.

The herb that makes salsa, salsa. Buy a pack and get started.

$2.25

CAD

In Stock
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