Coriander

How to sow

Sow 1 cm, succession. Use peat-free coco. Keep the surface just moist.

Germination 7–14 days in the crop record.

Growing

1. Sowing — Day 0. Gently crush seeds to split the husk — each fruit contains two seeds. Sow at 1cm depth.
2. Germination — Days 7–14. Keep moist but not wet. No direct sun yet.
3. Seedling — Weeks 2–3. Thin to strongest seedlings if clustered. Increase light.
4. Leaf harvest — Weeks 4–5. Harvest outer leaves first. Leave inner cluster growing.
5. Bolt risk — Weeks 6–8. Pinch the central stalk. Bolting is accelerated by heat and long days.
6. Seed harvest — If bolted. Allow seeds to dry on the stem. Harvest and use as spice or reseed.

Keep at or above 15°C where the crop record sets a floor.

Harvest

First cut around 5 weeks.

Harvest outer leaves first. Leave inner cluster growing.

Allow seeds to dry on the stem. Harvest and use as spice or reseed.

Common mistakes

• Bolting from heat — Coriander bolts quickly in warm conditions and long summer days. Keep cool and out of direct summer sun. Succession sow every 3 weeks to maintain supply.
• Sowing too deep — Coriander seeds are a fruit containing two seeds — buried too deep, they struggle to emerge. Sow at 1cm maximum. Crack the seed husk gently before sowing to improve germination.
• Expecting year-round production — Coriander has a short productive window of 3–5 weeks before bolting. Succession sow every 3 weeks. Always have the next batch germinating.
• Overwatering — Coriander prefers soil on the dry side between waterings. Let the top 1cm dry between waterings. Wet soil accelerates bolting.

In the kitchen

• Curry finish — Scatter whole fresh leaves on finished curries and dals. Never cook fresh leaves into the dish.
• Salsa verde — Blend with lime juice, chilli, garlic, and olive oil. Volume herb — use generously.
• Tacos — Tear and scatter over assembled tacos with lime. Used fresh, in large quantities.
• Chutney — Blend with green chilli, ginger, yoghurt, and lime for a South Asian-style condiment.
• Coriander seed — Toast dried seeds lightly and grind. Used in curry blends, pickling, and Moroccan spice mixes.

Questions

Sources

1. Coriander Seed Pack
2. Coco Soil treatise
3. HubWīk contents
4. Grower knowledge + RHS Growing Guides