Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Cilantro / coriander (Coriandrum sativum)— schedule & NPK
Also called cilantro, coriander, Chinese parsley.
About Cilantro / coriander
Coriandrum sativum · also called cilantro, coriander · herb
Cilantro (the leaves) and coriander (the seeds) are the two crops from the same fast-growing annual. It bolts quickly in heat, so successional sowing every 2-3 weeks is the secret to a steady leaf supply. Pet-safe by ASPCA standards.
Coriandrum sativum, a cool-season annual native to southern Europe and Asia, is the same plant for both leaf (cilantro) and seed (coriander).
Has modest fertility needs; the priority is succession sowing every 2-3 weeks rather than heavy feeding.
Growth habit: Upright annual
What fertiliser cilantro / coriander actually wants — and why
Cilantro / coriander is a soft, fast leafy herb that you harvest hard — a modest balanced feed keeps tender growth coming without tipping it into bland or bolting.
A balanced general feed (even N-P-K) at modest strength — enough nitrogen to keep replacing the leaves you pick, but not so much that flavour thins or it bolts to seed.
For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for cilantro / coriander: match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.
How often to feed cilantro / coriander, and which months
Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For cilantro / coriander:
A balanced feed at planting and again at 4 weeks; over-feeding reduces flavour. In practice: a balanced liquid feed every few weeks through the main growing and harvesting season (spring through early autumn), more often the harder you are picking it.
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when cilantro / coriander is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.
What strength to mix for cilantro / coriander
Half strength is a sensible default for cilantro / coriander — enough to fuel regrowth after cutting, gentle enough that the leaves stay aromatic rather than watery.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water cilantro / coriander first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the cilantro / coriander watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding cilantro / coriander
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for cilantro / coriander:
- Fast, soft, pale growth with diluted, less aromatic flavour.
- Early bolting (running to flower) and a bitter edge.
- Salt crust and scorched tips on container plants.
Signs you are under-feeding cilantro / coriander
- Pale, slow regrowth after cutting and small leaves.
- A tired, stalled plant that cannot keep up with harvesting.
- Yellowing older leaves in a long-spent pot.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full cilantro / coriander care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Pot-grown cilantro / coriander builds up feed salts quickly — water until it drains each time and flush the pot with plain water every few weeks, especially on a sunny windowsill.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for cilantro / coriander
Organic options
A diluted seaweed feed or worm-casting tea keeps soft growth coming without overdoing it. UK: dilute seaweed or Westland; US: Espoma Garden-tone or Neptune's Harvest. Gentle, hard to overdo, flavour-friendly.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A balanced liquid feed at half strength through harvesting — UK: Phostrogen, Baby Bio or Westland; US: Miracle-Gro all-purpose at half strength. Fast regrowth; just do not overdo the nitrogen.
Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.
Fertilising cilantro / coriander — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does cilantro / coriander need?
A balanced general feed (even N-P-K) at modest strength — enough nitrogen to keep replacing the leaves you pick, but not so much that flavour thins or it bolts to seed. Cilantro / coriander is a soft, fast leafy herb that you harvest hard — a modest balanced feed keeps tender growth coming without tipping it into bland or bolting.
How often should I feed cilantro / coriander?
A balanced feed at planting and again at 4 weeks; over-feeding reduces flavour. A balanced feed at planting and again at 4 weeks; over-feeding reduces flavour. In practice: a balanced liquid feed every few weeks through the main growing and harvesting season (spring through early autumn), more often the harder you are picking it.
What strength of feed for cilantro / coriander?
Half strength is a sensible default for cilantro / coriander — enough to fuel regrowth after cutting, gentle enough that the leaves stay aromatic rather than watery.
What does over-feeding cilantro / coriander look like?
Fast, soft, pale growth with diluted, less aromatic flavour. Early bolting (running to flower) and a bitter edge. Salt crust and scorched tips on container plants. Over-feeding cilantro / coriander with strong nitrogen is the usual mistake — it grows fast and lush but the leaves turn bland and it bolts to flower sooner, ending the useful harvest early.
Should I flush the soil of cilantro / coriander?
Pot-grown cilantro / coriander builds up feed salts quickly — water until it drains each time and flush the pot with plain water every few weeks, especially on a sunny windowsill.
Keep reading
- Cilantro / coriander care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water cilantro / coriander — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise basil
- How to fertilise herb garden
- How to fertilise mint
- All 200 fertilising guides in the Growli library