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Your cilantro not growing well is usually caused by a handful of very fixable problems.
Maybe your cilantro is not growing well because it’s bolting too fast.
It could be that your cilantro is not growing well due to poor soil drainage.
Or your cilantro not growing well could come down to too much heat and not enough water.
This is one of the most common herb frustrations out there.
I’ve killed my fair share of cilantro too.
It’s a fussy little plant when the conditions aren’t right.
In this post, we’ll break down why your cilantro is not growing well and what you can actually do about it.
We’ll look at the most common reasons cilantro fails to thrive and how to fix each one.
Let’s dig in.
Why Your Cilantro Is Not Growing Well
Cilantro not growing well almost always comes down to a few specific culprits.
Let’s go through each of them below.
1. Your Cilantro Is Bolting Too Quickly
The number one reason cilantro stops growing well is bolting.
Bolting is when the plant shoots up a tall flower stalk and stops producing leaves.
Once cilantro bolts, the leaves turn lacy and bitter and the plant basically gives up on foliage.
Heat is the biggest trigger for this.
Cilantro is a cool-season herb and it starts to struggle when temps climb above 75°F.
Long daylight hours can push it to bolt too.
So if you’re growing cilantro in the middle of summer, it’s probably not growing well because it’s simply too hot.
The fix is to plant cilantro in spring or fall.
You can also grow cilantro in partial shade during warmer months.
Some gardeners plant cilantro every couple of weeks to keep a steady supply.
2. The Soil Isn’t Right for Cilantro
If your cilantro is not growing well, the soil could be working against you.
Cilantro likes loose, well-draining soil that holds moisture without getting soggy.
Heavy clay soil traps water and can rot the roots fast.
On the flip side, sandy soil drains too quickly and leaves cilantro thirsty.
It also does best in soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8.
If the soil is too acidic or too alkaline, cilantro simply won’t grow well.
A quick fix is to mix in compost before planting.
Compost improves drainage in clay soil and helps sandy soil hold moisture.
Growing cilantro in containers with a good potting mix is another easy way to control the soil.
3. You’re Overwatering or Underwatering Your Cilantro
Cilantro not growing well is often a watering issue.
This herb has shallow roots and dries out faster than you’d expect.
If the top inch of soil is dry, your cilantro is already stressed.
Stressed cilantro grows slowly and bolts even faster.
But overwatering can be just as bad.
Cilantro sitting in soggy soil can get root rot.
You’ll know root rot is the problem if the plant wilts even when the soil is wet.
The fix is to water deeply but let the top inch dry out first.
Aim for about one inch of water per week.
Mulching around cilantro helps keep the soil evenly moist.
That keeps the cilantro growing well without drowning it.
4. Not Enough Sunlight or Too Much of It
Cilantro needs the right amount of light to grow well.
If it’s tucked in a shady corner, cilantro will get leggy and thin.
If it’s in scorching afternoon sun, the leaves will scorch and the plant will bolt.
The sweet spot is about 4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun.
Morning sun is gentler and helps cilantro grow without exhausting it.
Afternoon shade is actually a blessing in hot climates.
So if your cilantro is not growing well, check how much sun it’s really getting.
5. Crowded Roots or Too Many Seedlings
Cilantro not growing well can also be a spacing problem.
If you dumped a whole packet of seeds into one pot, the seedlings are choking each other out.
Cilantro needs room to spread its roots.
Thin the seedlings so they’re about 6 to 8 inches apart.
This gives each plant access to water, nutrients, and light.
It’s a hard step because nobody likes pulling out healthy seedlings.
But it’s the difference between cilantro growing well and cilantro sulking.
Once you thin them, your cilantro will have room to actually thrive.
6. Nutrient Deficiencies in the Soil
Cilantro is not a heavy feeder, but it still needs nutrients.
If the leaves are pale, cilantro not growing well could mean a nitrogen deficiency.
Yellowing leaves and slow growth are classic signs.
On the other hand, too much fertilizer can burn the roots and make cilantro bolt.
A light feeding with a balanced organic fertilizer once a month is usually plenty.
Compost or worm castings are great gentle options.
So if your cilantro is not growing well, don’t overcorrect by dumping on fertilizer.
7. Pests and Diseases Attacking Your Cilantro
Pests can quietly ruin your cilantro without you noticing.
Aphids love cilantro and they suck the sap out of leaves.
Flea beetles chew small holes that slow the plant down.
But the real problem is often fusarium wilt.
This soilborne fungus makes cilantro wilt and turn yellowish even when you’ve been watering correctly.
Once fusarium wilt hits, there’s no saving the plant.
If cilantro not growing well is because of fusarium, don’t replant in the same spot.
Check the undersides of leaves for bugs and remove them with a strong spray of water.
8. Harvesting Cilantro the Wrong Way
How you harvest cilantro affects how well it keeps growing.
If you yank out the whole plant, well, you know what happens next.
But if you cut too much at once, cilantro can’t recover.
Snip the outer stems about an inch above the soil line.
This keeps the growing center of the plant intact so it keeps producing.
Harvest often, but never take more than a third of the plant at a time.
When you harvest cilantro correctly, it will keep growing well for weeks.
So, Why Is Your Cilantro Not Growing Well?
Cilantro not growing well usually comes down to heat, water, soil, or spacing.
If your cilantro is not growing well, the fix is almost always simpler than you think.
Cooler temperatures, consistent moisture, loose soil, and a light trim now and then will get cilantro growing well again.
Don’t be discouraged if your first round flopped.
Succession planting and a little shade can turn things around fast.
Give these fixes a shot and your cilantro will reward you with a fresh, steady harvest in no time.