Cilantro is one of the most common herb used in kitchen. Cilantro basically means green leaves and stem of the plant and is also known as coriander. It is used as a common cooking spice in Asian, Middle Eastern, Mexican and African cuisines.
Coriander vs Cilantro
The stalks and leaves of Coriandrum sativum plant are known as cilantro in North America and the dried seeds are called coriander. Whereas in other parts of the world this plant is referred as coriander plant and the seeds as coriander seeds.
How to Grow Coriander From Seeds ?
The best time to plant cilantro is spring or early summer. Make sure that the soil is well drained and moist before sowing seeds.
The first and foremost thing to be done before sowing any seed is to prepare the planting area. This can be done by adding compost or other organic matter to the planting area.
Make the area smooth with the help of a rake. Sow the coriander seeds at least 2 inch deep into the soil, spaced about 6-8 inches apart. Provide water soluble fertilizer as well as plenty of moisture to cilantro plant.
Also Read: How To Plant Spinach? Here Is Everything You Need To Know
The next thing you will be concerned about after sowing seeds is, how long does it take for cilantro to germinate? Well, Cilantro grows very quickly, so you can make successive sowing of seeds every 2-3 weeks and get fresh leaves every time.
How Long Does Coriander Seeds Take To Germinate ?
The usual time of coriander seed germination is 2-3 weeks. Temperature also plays a major role on how long a seed takes to germinate. A moderate temperature of about 20 degree Celsius is required for coriander seeds to germinate.
Make sure to water the plants regularly and do not allow the soil to get dried up. You can get fresh supply of coriander leaves if you sow seeds every 3 weeks. If you notice the plant being suffered then do give organic feed to the plant.
Tips for Harvesting Cilantro
Cilantro gets ready within 2-3 weeks of sowing the seeds. Here are few tips that you need to follow while harvesting cilantro and coriander seeds.
- You need to harvest cilantro leaves once they are big enough to cut down.
- Don’t be in a hurry to pluck them off.
- Snip off the whole stem if you need it or you can just cut the leaves.
- If you are growing cilantro for the seeds then wait till the flowers get dried up.
- Cut the stems and place it in a paper bag, with the stems facing the opening of the bag.
- Tie the stems with the bag in a bunch and hang it in a dry place.
- When the flowers get completely dried up, you just need to shake the bag and the seeds will be collected at the bottom of the bag.
- This will take about 2-3 weeks.
- You can now use the seeds for further germination or you can use it in cooking as well.
If you are growing cilantro for leaves then as soon as the flower develops pluck them off as it will ensure that all the energy is given for the development of the leaves.
This little plant can give you the benefit of its leaves as well as its seeds. If you love cooking then this herb is a must in most of your dishes.
Cilantro can be grown in pots, container, on terrace, in backyard or even in balcony as the process of cilantro germination is very quick and easy.