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You can grow cilantro from seeds pretty easily once you know what cilantro seeds actually need to sprout.
Cilantro seeds are those little round tan balls you’ll find in spice jars labeled coriander, and yes, they’re the exact same thing.
If you’ve been wondering how do you grow cilantro from seeds, the short answer is that you plant them shallow, keep them cool, and give them consistent moisture.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to grow cilantro from seeds step by step, from cracking the seeds to harvesting your first leaves.
Let’s dig in.
How Do You Grow Cilantro From Seeds?
Growing cilantro from seeds means giving those seeds the right conditions to break dormancy and push up healthy green stems.
Unlike many herbs that love heat, cilantro is a cool-season plant that will bolt and go to seed quickly when temperatures climb.
That means the timing and location you choose will make or break your cilantro from seeds.
1. Start With Fresh Cilantro Seeds
Cilantro seeds lose viability fast, so old packets from the back of your spice drawer may not sprout well.
Buy fresh cilantro seeds from a garden center or seed company for the best germination rate.
If you only have whole coriander seeds from the grocery store, those can work too, but germination will be hit or miss.
Because each cilantro seed is actually a fruit containing two seeds, you can gently crack it before planting.
2. Crack the Seeds to Speed Up Germination
Cracking cilantro seeds is optional but helpful if you want faster sprouting.
Just press each seed with the flat side of a knife or roll it lightly with a rolling pin until you hear a small crack.
You don’t need to smash it to powder, just split the outer husk so water can reach the seed inside.
This simple step can shave days off how long it takes to grow cilantro from seeds.
3. Choose the Right Time to Plant Cilantro Seeds
Cilantro grows best when temperatures stay between 50°F and 85°F.
In most regions, that means planting cilantro seeds in early spring or early fall.
If you live somewhere with mild winters, you can sow cilantro from seeds in fall and let it grow through the cool months.
In hot climates, growing cilantro from seeds in partial shade or during the cooler shoulder seasons works better than a midsummer planting.
4. Plant Cilantro Seeds in the Right Spot
Cilantro from seeds needs a spot with at least four to six hours of sun, though afternoon shade helps in warmer areas.
The soil should drain well and be rich in organic matter so seedlings don’t rot.
If you’re growing cilantro from seeds in containers, use a pot at least eight inches deep with drainage holes.
Cilantro has a taproot, so it doesn’t like being transplanted, which is why direct sowing is best.
5. Sow the Seeds Shallowly
Plant cilantro seeds about a quarter inch deep and one to two inches apart.
Cover them lightly with soil and press down gently so the seeds make contact with the dirt.
Water softly with a spray bottle or a gentle shower setting so you don’t wash the seeds away.
When you grow cilantro from seeds this way, you’ll usually see sprouts in seven to ten days.
Caring for Cilantro From Seeds
Once your cilantro from seeds has sprouted, the real work begins.
Here’s how to keep those seedlings thriving.
1. Keep the Soil Consistently Moist
Cilantro seedlings hate drying out, but they also hate sitting in soggy soil.
Aim for soil that feels like a wrung-out sponge, watering when the top inch feels dry.
Mulching around your cilantro from seeds helps hold moisture and keeps the roots cool.
2. Thin the Seedlings
Once your cilantro from seeds is about two inches tall, thin them to stand four to six inches apart.
This gives each plant room to grow and improves airflow, which reduces disease.
Don’t toss the thinnings either, because cilantro microgreens taste amazing in salads.
3. Fertilize Lightly
Cilantro doesn’t need heavy feeding.
A diluted liquid fertilizer every few weeks is plenty for cilantro grown from seeds.
Too much nitrogen makes the plants leggy and less flavorful, so go easy.
4. Watch for Bolting
The biggest challenge when you grow cilantro from seeds is bolting.
When the weather heats up, cilantro sends up a tall flower stalk and the leaves turn bitter.
To slow this down, keep cilantro from seeds watered, shaded in the afternoon, and harvested often.
You can also sow cilantro seeds every few weeks for a continuous supply.
5. Harvest Your Cilantro From Seeds
You can start snipping outer leaves when the plant is about six inches tall.
Always cut from the outside and leave the inner growth to keep the plant producing.
If you let a few cilantro plants go to seed, you’ll get coriander seeds to harvest and seeds to plant all over again.
Common Problems When You Grow Cilantro From Seeds
Even seasoned gardeners run into issues when they grow cilantro from seeds.
Here are a few you might see and how to fix them.
1. Seeds Not Germinating
If your cilantro seeds aren’t sprouting, the issue is usually old seed, dry soil, or temperatures that are too hot.
Try fresh cilantro seeds and keep the soil consistently damp but not soaked.
2. Seedlings Falling Over
Damping off is a fungal issue that hits young cilantro from seeds when the soil stays too wet and airflow is poor.
Water less often, improve air movement, and thin your seedlings to prevent it.
3. Yellowing Leaves
Yellow leaves on cilantro grown from seeds usually mean too much water or not enough nutrients.
Check your drainage and give a light dose of balanced fertilizer if the soil is already well-draining.
4. Slow Growth
Cilantro from seeds grows slowly when it’s too cold or too hot.
Keep temperatures in that 50°F to 85°F sweet spot and your cilantro should take off.
5. Bolting Too Early
Heat stress triggers bolting in cilantro from seeds, so plant in cool seasons and use shade cloth if needed.
Frequent harvesting also signals the plant to keep making leaves instead of flowers.
So, How Do You Grow Cilantro From Seeds?
You grow cilantro from seeds by planting fresh seeds shallowly in cool, moist soil with plenty of sunlight and consistent watering.
Cilantro seeds sprout best when they’re cracked, sown directly, and kept at moderate temperatures.
Growing cilantro from seeds is really about timing, patience, and keeping the plant from bolting too soon.
With these tips, you’ll have fresh cilantro from seeds in your garden or on your windowsill in no time.