Growing Coriander

how to grow coriander

Growing coriander,coriander herbs or Coriander is a spice with two flavors in one. If you use the leaves, you probably are making authentic Mexican or South Asian cuisine and you call the plant cilantro.

The leaves have a strong smell that is reminiscent of freshly laid linoleum but adds a distinct flavor to the dish that you get no other way. The fruit or seeds of the coriander plant are distinctly different in taste and bring a nutty citrus flavor to Indian curries and German sausage that you’ll get with no other spice. Using the Coriander

One of the problems when growing coriander or using the herb is that the leaves of the plant tend to spoil rapidly after you pick them from the stalk and you need to use them right away. The seeds also lose much of their flavor if not used immediately after they’re ground. Because of this, it’s a great idea to grow your own coriander in your garden to have the freshest possible leaves and seeds.

Soil and Fertilizer

If you grow coriander in a container, make sure that you have a hole in the bottom for adequate drainage. The plant loves well-drained soil and like most herbs, grows well in any type of soil but does best in moderately rich soils. One important thing to remember when growing coriander herbs, poor soil often produces a stronger scented herb. The soil should not be compacted but be loose and aerated.

Planting Time

If you find small coriander plants in the store, your chances of successfully transplanting them are about 50 percent. This plant hates to move once it starts to grow. The best way to grow coriander/cilantro is from seed. Make sure that you plant later in May long after any chance of frost. The seed takes anywhere from a week to two weeks to germinate but some may take as long as a month. If you want to get germination in gear, soak the seeds overnight between two layers of damp towel. Successive planting keeps you in cilantro all summer long.

Watering coriander

When stress occurs to the coriander/cilantro plant, it bolts. One of these stresses is lack of water. If you want the coriander seed, this is great but if you’d like the leaves for as long as possible, keep your plant evenly watered.

Rapid changes in temperature also can make the plant bolt quicker and produce smaller amounts of coriander seed. While the coriander hates its feet wet, so you never plant it where water remains standing, it also likes moist soil. Keep the plant evenly watered.

coriander Pests and disease

Lucky you for growing the coriander, you only have beneficial insects that love it once it’s larger. Smaller plants may be susceptible to slug invasions. It's a perfect companion plant for tomatoes.

Harvesting the coriander Crop

You can pluck the leaves from the plant as necessary once the plant reaches a height of at least six inches. Don’t pick any lower than leaves from the top two to three inches so you continue to have growth.

If you want the seeds, let the plant flower. It takes about two to three weeks before the seeds begin to brown and they’re ready for harvest. You can snip the plant stem containing the seeds together with several others. Put a plastic bag over the top and secure it to the stems with a rubber band.

Hang the stems upside down and when the seeds drop, they’ll drop safely into the bag. Grind the seed as you need it for use. Once ground, it looses much of its flavor.

When growing coriander just remember that the cilantro is never the same once it’s frozen or dried. This seasoning needs to be used within a day or two of picking or most of the flavor disappears from the leaves.

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