Table of contents
Growing Cilantro
Cilantro growing tips are to help you produce your own cilantro or coriander at home. This herb is tasty & healthy so it is worth the effort.
In North America ‘cilantro’ (the Spanish word for coriander leaves) is used to describe the leaves and stem of this plant. However, the dried seeds of the plant are called ‘coriander’ seeds.
If you love Asian-inspired cooking, coriander is a ‘must have’ in your garden.
Cilantro Growing from Seed
Time needed: 4 minutes
How to grow cilantro.
- Choose the right soil.
Choose loose, well drained soil as your growing medium.
- When to grow
Plant at the start of the dry season in the tropics. April or May is usually good.
- Sow Seeds
Sow seeds 1cm (half an inch) deep and cover with soil.
- Water
Make sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Roughly 2.5cm (1in) of water per week is ideal for seedlings.
- Harvesting
You can harvest once your plant is 15cm (6in) tall. Do not take more than a third of the leaves at a time. To harvest seeds, you have to allow the plant to flower and dry out, before shaking the seed head in a paper bag.
Cilantro growing in pots
Here in the tropics we recommend growing cilantro in pots or a container bed. This will avoid the problem of your plants sitting in soggy ground for long periods during the wet season.
How to maintain cilantro plant
Location ans Soil
Plant in full sun, or at least where the plant will get sun for a good part of the day. Loose well draining soil is best for this plant.
Fertilising
Fertilising your plants with a balanced fertiliser is a good idea. We apply this in the form of a water soluble fertiliser every month or so.
Watering
You should water your plants at least twice each week.
Pests and Diseases
Cilantro growing tips must include pest management. So pests include whitefly, caterpillar, saphids, thrips and mites. However, you can apply ‘white oil’ to address these pests. White oil is an organic pesticide that you can make yourself at home.
Health Benefits
High blood sugar is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Coriander seeds are known to help lower blood sugar.
In addition, coriander is rich in antioxidants and has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body.
Further, there is evidence that coriander seed oil promotes healthy digestion. Studies have shown a coriander-containing herbal medication taken thrice daily significantly decreased abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort.
In conclusion we hope you have found our cilantro growing tips useful.
Other Tropical Herbs
- Dill
- Ginger Growing
- Grow Basil at Home
- Garlic Chives Growing
- Lemongrass Growing
- Mint
- Stevia
- Thai Chili
- Vietnamese Mint
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