Garden PlannerEvidence-aware. Garden with confidence.
Entire healthy mature cilantro plant in a real garden bed, showing growth habit and scale.Primary identification image. 30–60 cm tall, 15–20 cm wide at maturity.

Cilantro

Coriandrum sativum L.

Also called: Coriander, Chinese parsley

Family
Apiaceae
Season
Cool-season annual
Best grown in
Portland, Oregon

A cool-season herb that bolts within weeks in warm weather; sow every three weeks, and let some flower for beneficial insects.

Add to plan View companions Calendar

Life cycle & growth stages

  1. 1. SeedSow 1 cm deep; crush seed lightly.
  2. 2. SeedlingEmerges in 7–14 days.
  3. 3. HarvestCut leaves from 4 weeks.
  4. 4. BoltingStem rises; leaves become feathery.
  5. 5. FloweringWhite umbels attract hoverflies and wasps.
  6. 6. SeedHarvest dry coriander seed.

Growth stages are ordered chronologically; timing varies with cultivar, temperature, light and care.

Planting calendar for Portland, Oregon

direct sow 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after last frost; 40–60 days to maturity from sowing. Windows are derived from the region's average frost dates (last Apr 5, first Nov 5) and are estimates until you confirm your own dates in the calendar.

CilantroCoriandrum sativum
PlantStart indoorsDirect sowAutumn sowTransplantTendHarvest
Cilantro—Mar 15–Apr 26 (estimate); Apr 26–Sep 12 (estimate)Aug 27–Oct 8 (estimate)——Apr 24–Dec 2 (estimate)
  • Direct sow: Mar 15 – Apr 26
  • Harvest: Apr 24 – Dec 2
  • Succession sow: Apr 26 – Sep 12
  • Autumn sowing: Aug 27 – Oct 8

Spacing & support

In-row 10–15 cm; rows 30–30 cm. Planner footprint: 1 cell of 30 cm, 4 plants per cell.

Side-profile diagram of mature cilantro: canopy 30–60 cm tall, 15–20 cm wide, shallow root zone, support and harvest-access envelope.

Soil & water

Soil
Well-drained loam
pH
6–7
Fertility
moderate
Water
Keep moist to delay bolting.
Frost
hardy; tolerates frost

Support & training

No support structure needed.

Cilantro mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Harvest signs

  • Plants 15 cm tall
  • Cut outer leaves before the central stem rises
Cilantro at harvest readiness, showing the visual cues: plants 15 cm tall; cut outer leaves before the central stem rises.

Common problems

Pests: aphids, slugs

Diseases: bacterial leaf spot

Appearance alone is not a diagnosis; confirm with a regional extension guide.

Side-by-side: healthy cilantro leaf or fruit and an example of bacterial leaf spot.

Container growing

  • Minimum 3 L (15 cm deep)
  • Use quality potting mix and water more frequently
Mature cilantro in a correctly sized container (3 L or more) with drainage visible.

Companion overview

2 reviewed relationship records (evidence: low).

Supported or conditional

Cabbage

Avoid or separate

None with evidence

1 popular pairing reviewed with no verified relationship.

Full companion profile

Crop rotation

Avoid planting cilantro or other carrot family crops in the same spot for 2 years. Rotation is about previous seasons, not about live neighbours.

Year 1Year 2Year 3ApiaceaeOther familyOther familyback after 2+ years

Shared risks in Apiaceae: carrot rust fly, Alternaria leaf blight, parsley worm (swallowtail caterpillar).

Crop rotation hub

Sources, reviewer & update

Sources

Reviewer: Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review)

Last reviewed: August 15, 2026 · version 1

Found an error or have feedback? Let us know.

Growing cilantro

Cilantro is direct-sown from early spring and again in late summer; it runs to flower in long, warm days no matter what is done, so succession sowing is the only way to keep leaves coming. Seed sown in autumn often overwinters in mild regions.

Cilantro seed beside a ruler or coin for scale.
Cilantro seedling at cotyledon and first-true-leaf stage, in soil, distinguishable from common weeds.
Cilantro mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

The white umbels are among the flowers most visited by hoverflies and parasitic wasps in field observations (Hogg et al. 2011), so letting a patch bolt is a documented way to support those insects. The seed that follows is coriander.

Two or more mature cilantro plants with a tape measure showing in-row spacing (10–15 cm).
Cilantro flower detail or bolting stage.
Immature leaves of cilantro developing on the plant.

Edible parts and safety

Edible: leaves, seeds (coriander), flowers, roots.

Hands or tool harvesting cilantro correctly (cut, pull, twist or pick) without damaging the plant.

Pests and diseases

Common pests: aphids, slugs. Common diseases: bacterial leaf spot. These vary by region; a photograph is an example, not a diagnosis. See the pest and disease guides and your local extension service.

aphids on cilantro, with a wider damage-context view.

Timeline

Season timeline for cilantro: sowing, transplanting, flowering, harvest and bed occupancy aligned to frost dates.Text alternative: Direct sow Mar 15–Apr 26; Harvest Apr 24–Dec 2; Succession sow Apr 26–Sep 12; Autumn sowing Aug 27–Oct 8.

Related plants

See also: Apiaceae family page · crop rotation · regional calendar · guides

Our Methodology & Sources

We synthesize peer-reviewed research, university extension publications, and trusted horticulture resources. Our evidence levels help you understand how strong the science is behind the guidance.

Evidence tiers

Supported evidenceConsistent results from multiple robust studies
Traditional claimHistorical use reported, limited scientific support
Context dependentMixed or variable results across conditions
No verified relationshipNo reliable evidence identified

Primary source types

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • University extension publications
  • Government & research institute reports
  • Systematic reviews & meta-analyses

Last updated

August 24, 2026

Learn more about our approach