Coriandrum spp.

coriander

Eastern Mediterranean and south-western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Fragrant (strong)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

Overview

Coriandrum spp. is a small genus of annual herbs in the carrot family (Apiaceae), represented chiefly by Coriandrum sativum, grown worldwide as coriander, whose leaves are known as cilantro and whose ripe seeds are the spice coriander. The genus is native to the eastern Mediterranean and south-western Asia and is now cultivated and naturalised far beyond that range. Plants grow as upright annuals 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) tall and 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) wide, with a slender taproot. The lower leaves are broad and rounded with toothed lobes, while leaves higher on the bolting stem become finely divided into narrow segments. Small white to pale pink flowers are carried in flat-topped compound umbels in early to mid summer, followed by round, ribbed seeds that ripen tan and brittle. The whole plant has a strong scent that many find pungent in the fresh leaf and warm and citrusy in the dried seed. Plants run quickly to flower in heat and long days, so leaf harvest is brief in summer.

Native Range

Native to the eastern Mediterranean and south-western Asia, and widely cultivated and naturalised across temperate and subtropical regions.

Suggested Uses

Grown in herb and vegetable gardens, in containers, and among other crops, with leaves used fresh and seeds used as a dried spice. The summer umbels also draw beneficial insects to the vegetable bed.

How to Identify

Look for a slender annual with two leaf forms: broad, rounded, lobed lower leaves and finely divided, thread-like upper leaves on the flowering stem. Small white to pale pink flowers form flat-topped compound umbels. The crushed foliage and round ribbed seeds carry the characteristic coriander scent.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Plants flower in early to mid summer, often within 6 to 8 weeks of sowing as they bolt in heat and lengthening days. White to pale pink flowers open in compound umbels. Seed ripens several weeks after flowering, turning tan and brittle.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale pink

Foliage Description

Bright green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.2 - 6.8(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to light shade on moist, freely draining soil with pH from 6.2 to 6.8. Water needs are medium, and steady moisture delays bolting and lengthens the leaf harvest. As a cool-season annual, the crop runs to flower quickly in summer heat, so successive sowings extend the supply. Coriander has a taproot and transplants poorly, so it is usually direct-sown where it is to grow. Plants are frost-tender and complete their life cycle in a single season.

Pruning

Leaves are harvested by cutting outer growth as needed before the plant bolts. Removing flower stems can briefly slow bolting if leaf is wanted rather than seed. For the spice, stems are left to flower and set seed, then cut when the heads ripen.

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Direct Sow Timing

Sow from early spring after the last frost, with successive sowings every 2 to 3 weeks through the cool season

Days to Maturity

45–90 days

Plant Spacing

6 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting With