Cilantro / coriander (cilantro) care

Light

Cilantro / coriander is a sun-lover and needs the brightest spot in the home to thrive. Full sun to part shade. Afternoon shade in hot climates delays bolting. Indoors that almost always means a south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere. Plants moved abruptly from low light to direct sun will scorch — acclimate them over 7-10 days by giving a little more sun each day.

Watering

Water cilantro / coriander even moisture — 2-3 cm per week. The actual day count varies with pot size, light level, and the season — the finger test (or, better, lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a calendar. Empty any drainage saucer after watering so the pot is never sitting in water. Consistent watering reduces premature bolting; mulch helps.

Soil and pot

Cilantro / coriander grows best in rich, well-drained loam. Compost-rich soil; pH 6.2-6.8. Deep pots accommodate the tap root. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Cilantro / coriander sits happiest at around 40-70% (outdoor) humidity and 15-24°C (60-75°F). Outdoor humidity rarely matters. If you keep the room above 15 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed cilantro / coriander sparingly. A balanced feed at planting and again at 4 weeks; over-feeding reduces flavour. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on cilantro / coriander in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Bolting quickly — Heat trigger; sow successionally every 2-3 weeks and choose slow-bolt varieties.
• Lacy ferny leaves replacing the round ones — Bolting is starting — pinch flower stems or let it set seed for coriander.
• Yellow seedlings — Damping-off; sow into clean mix and avoid overwatering.
• Poor germination — Old seed; coriander seed loses viability after 2 years.

Companion plants

Cilantro / coriander pairs well with Tomato, Spinach, and Bean. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can grow them in the same bed or container without conflict.

Propagation

Direct-sow seed; cilantro transplants poorly because of its tap root. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Cilantro / coriander is pet-safe. Cilantro/coriander is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Cilantro / coriander deep-dive guides

Every aspect of cilantro / coriander care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Cilantro / coriander watering schedule
• Cilantro / coriander light requirements
• Best soil mix for cilantro / coriander
• Cilantro / coriander fertilizing guide
• When to repot cilantro / coriander
• How to propagate cilantro / coriander
• Cilantro / coriander growth rate & size
• Cilantro / coriander cold hardiness
• Cilantro / coriander temperature & humidity
• Is cilantro / coriander toxic to cats & dogs?

Related guides

Cilantro / coriander is also known as cilantro, coriander, and Chinese parsley.

• Basil care — light, water and common problems
• Herb garden care — light, water and common problems
• Mint care — light, water and common problems
• All 200 plant care guides in the Growli library