How To Grow Cilantro Indoors: Tips and Tricks for Success

The world divides into 2 groups: those who lust love cilantro and those who think it tastes like soap. If you’re in the former group, you probably know how difficult it is to find fresh cilantro year-round. But did you know that with a bit of effort, you can grow cilantro indoors, without having to go to the store every time you need it?

Cilantro is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an easy herb to grow indoors. It’s easy to care for and can be grown in pots or water. Plus, it doesn’t require a lot of sunlight. With a bit of care, you can have fresh herbs at your fingertips no matter what the season.

This blog post will provide tips and tricks for successfully growing cilantro indoors. We’ll cover everything from how much sunlight cilantro needs to how often you should water it. Plus, we’ll share tips on harvesting cilantro and how to revive a dying cilantro plant.

So whether you’re a beginner gardener or an experienced green thumb, you’ll find everything you need to know about growing cilantro indoors here!

Why should you grow cilantro Indoors?

Cilantro (or Coriandrum sativum) is a versatile herb used in many dishes. It has a fresh flavor and unique aroma that pairs well with various ingredients. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients like iron and vitamins A and C. Making it delicious and good for your health!

Cilantro is used in herbal medicine, and many health benefits have been attributed to it. It is known to aid in digestion, lower cholesterol, and prevent diabetes. It is also a natural detoxifier and can help remove heavy metals from the body.

That’s why we think everyone should give growing cilantro indoors a try!

How long does it take to grow coriander indoors?

You can expect a cilantro seed to germinate within about two weeks. Once the seedlings have sprouted, they’ll be fast-growing. In just a few weeks, you’ll be able to harvest your first batch of fresh leaves!

Getting Started with Supplies

You’ll need a few supplies to get started.

Pots or Containers

First, you’ll need a pot or a wooden or plastic container to grow your cilantro in. Ensure it has drainage holes so the roots don’t get waterlogged.

We recommend using a pot that’s at least six inches wide. This will give the roots plenty of room to grow.

Potting Soil

Next, you’ll need potting soil. Cilantro likes well-drained soil, so look for a potting mix that’s light and airy with a neutral PH of 6.2 to 6.8. Look for one that’s made for growing herbs or vegetables.

Cilantro Seeds

Last, you’ll need cilantro seeds. You can find these at your local nursery or online, but those are just a few of the places. We recommend getting your cilantro seed from a reputable source.

Once you have your supplies, you’re ready to get started!

How to Plant Cilantro Indoors?

With just a little care, you can have fresh cilantro at your fingertips no matter what the season.

Starting from Coriander Seeds

If you’re starting with cilantro dry seeds, you should split the seeds into two parts by gently crushing them. This will help the cilantro seeds germinate faster.

After that, you should soak them in water for about 12 hours before planting. This will help to soften the seed coat and improve germination rates.

Fill your pot with well-drained potting soil, and then add water until the soil is moist but not soggy.

Plant cilantro seeds about a ¼ inch deep in moistened potting soil. Be sure to space the seeds about two inches apart. Sprinkle the cilantro seeds on top of the soil, and then lightly press them into the surface.

Cover the pot with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot. Seeds need at least 55-68 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate

Check on the seeds every day, and start by watering seedlings with a spray bottle. You should see the cilantro seeds germinate within two weeks. Once they’ve sprouted, remove the lid or plastic wrap.

Place the pot in a sunny spot, and water the seedlings when the soil starts to dry out.

When to transplant seedlings?

Once the cilantro seedlings have grown about four inches tall, it’s time to move the sprouting seeds into individual pots.

Carefully transfer the cilantro seedlings to their new pots, and space them about six inches apart. Water the seedlings well, and then place them in a sunny spot. Pick the strongest seedling to transplant because it will have the best chance of survival.

Starting from young Cilantro plants

If you can’t find cilantro seeds, you can also use a young cilantro plant. You can find these at your local nursery or garden center.

When you’re ready to transplant, fill your pot with well-drained potting soil, carefully remove the cilantro plant from its current pot, and then gently loosen the roots. Place the plant in the new pot, and water it well.

Place the cilantro plant in a sunny spot and water it when the soil starts to dry out.

Starting from mature plants

You can propagate from mature plants if you want to get a head start on your cilantro plants.

You’ll need to take a cutting from a healthy cilantro plant to do this. Cut about four inches from the tips of the plant, and then remove the bottom leaves.

Place the cutting in a glass of water, and change the water every few days. You should see roots start to form within a week or two.

Once the roots are about an inch long, you can transplant the cutting into a pot of well-drained potting soil. Water it well, and place it in a sunny spot.

How to Care for Your Cilantro Plant?

Now that you’ve got your cilantro plant, it’s time to start taking care of it. By following these tips, you can grow cilantro that will produce an abundance of leaves. Just be sure to keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and you’ll be enjoying fresh herbs all year long!

Location and Light

First, choose a location for your pot or container. Cilantro likes full sun to partial shade, so a spot near a sunny window is ideal. If you don’t have a sunny spot, you can use a grow light.

Be sure to place it in a spot that gets at least six hours of light per day. Dark places will cause the plant to become leggy and produce fewer leaves.

Temperature

Cilantro prefers cool weather and does best when temperatures are between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant will bolt and go to seed if it gets too hot.

Watering

One of the most important things to remember when growing cilantro plants is to water them regularly. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy.

Be sure to check the soil every day and add more water when it starts to dry out. Prevent overwatering as it will cause the roots to rot.

Fertilizing

There’s a bit of debate over whether to fertilize cilantro. A good rule of thumb, though: avoid fertilizer at the seedling stage. 

Cilantro doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer (if any). Still, you can give it a boost with a half-strength liquid fertilizer every month. Be sure to dilute the fertilizer before applying it to the soil. Too much fertilizer will cause the growing cilantro to flower.

For organic cilantro, use organic fertilizer or fortify the soil with compost.

How to Harvest Cilantro?

You can start harvesting cilantro leaves when the plant is about six inches tall. To harvest, cut the stems about an inch above the soil line. If you harvest the entire plant, be sure to leave a couple of inches of stem, so it can regrow.

Cilantro will keep producing leaves as long as you keep harvesting them. When the plant starts to flower, the leaves will taste bitter.

You can store cilantro in the fridge for up to a week. Place the stems in a glass of water and then cover them with a plastic bag.

Cutting off too much can weaken the plant. If you’re harvesting the seeds, clip the entire cilantro seed heads plant when the flowers turn brown. The seeds can be used whole or ground up.

Drying and Freezing Cilantro

If you want to dry cilantro, cut the stems and place them in a dehydrator set on low heat. Alternatively, you can tie the stems together and hang them upside down in a dark, cool spot.

The leaves will be dry in about a week. Once they’re dry, store them in an airtight container. You can also freeze cilantro by chopping the leaves and placing them in a freezer-safe bag.

Cilantro Pests and Diseases

Cilantro is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. Still, there are a few things to watch out for when growing indoors.

Pests

The most common pests that attack cilantro are aphids and whiteflies. These pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or by using neem oil. You can spray the plant every few days with either of these products until the pests are gone.

Diseases

The most common disease that affects cilantro is downy mildew. This disease can be controlled by using a fungicide. You can spray the plant every two weeks with a water-based fungicide.

Downy mildew will cause the leaves of your coriander plant to turn yellow and then brown. If you see these symptoms, be sure to treat the plant as soon as possible.

You can also prevent these diseases by ensuring that your cilantro plant has plenty of air circulation. Be sure to space the coriander plants out so that they have room to breathe.

Do you have any tips for growing cilantro indoors? Share them in the comments below!

Have you ever grown cilantro indoors? What tips do you have to share? Let us know in the comments below!