eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Care for Cilantro Plants

Contributor
By Willow Sidhe
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Cilantro, also known as coriander or Chinese parsley, is a flowering annual herb native to Europe, Asia and Africa. Cilantro typically grows to about 20 inches in height and produces white flowers during summer and fall. The seeds and leaves of cilantro are commonly used as a culinary spice, but all portions of the plant are edible. Cilantro requires little care to grow and can produce fresh seeds for harvest in only a few months.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Garden tiller
  • Fertilizer
  1. Step 1

    Plant cilantro in February in a location that receives full, direct sunlight throughout the day. Ensure the soil is well-drained and loose by using a garden tiller to cultivate to a depth of 6 inches prior to planting. Allow at least 4 inches of space between each cilantro plant.

  2. Step 2

    Water cilantro twice a week during the first 10 days of growth. Reduce frequency to once a week henceforth, except during periods of extreme heat. Do not splash water on the foliage, as moist leaves are more susceptible to disease.

  3. Step 3

    Feed cilantro every two weeks with a balanced 20-20-20 NPK fertilizer to encourage rapid growth. Water both before and after applying to prevent root burn from the sudden influx of nitrogen. Apply following the directions provided by the manufacturer.

  4. Step 4

    Encourage additional flowering of cilantro by removing the blossoms before they turn to seed. Pinch off the flowers as close to the stem as possible using your fingers, and new blossoms will form shortly after.

  5. Step 5

    Harvest cilantro seeds by allowing the flowers to mature and die. Remove the flower once it has dried completely and seeds have formed. Use the seeds immediately or freeze in ice cubes to preserve the fresh flavor.

Tips & Warnings
  • For a fall crop, plant cilantro in August. Care requirements are the same for spring or fall cilantro plants.
  • Cilantro prefers poor soil and does not thrive in extremely fertile growing mediums. Reduce fertilization to once per month if growth becomes spindly.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Home & Garden
Ruby Bayan,

Meet Ruby Bayan eHow's Home & Garden Expert.

Get Free Home & Garden Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Home and Garden
eHow_eHow Home and Garden