© Rodolfo Salinas Villarreal, some rights reserved (CC-BY) · iNaturalist
Coriandrum spp.
coriander
Eastern Mediterranean and south-western Asia
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
WaterMedium
Overview
Coriandrum 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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
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 pinkFoliage Description
Bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
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-toxicPlanting 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