Cilantro
Coriandrum sativum
Bolts in heat; let some flower for coriander seed and beneficial insects.
Hardiness: zones 2 to 11
Light: part shade to full sun
Size: about 1.5 ft tall, 0.5 ft wide
Harvest: May to October
From: Mediterranean
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food, pollinators, traditional use, Ayurvedic tradition.
Native to: Mediterranean. Hardy in zones 2 to 11.
The story
Coriander seed was in Tutankhamun's tomb and the Bible; the fresh leaf became cilantro in the Americas, where Mexican, Peruvian and Indian cooks made it essential. The same plant gives seed and leaf, and bolts the moment it is warm.
Planting
Full sun or light shade; sow seed directly in spring and again every three weeks, since each sowing lasts a month. Sow in autumn in mild climates for winter leaf.
Growing
Keep moist and cool; it bolts in heat regardless. Let bolted plants set seed for coriander and self-sown volunteers.
Harvest and use
Cut leaves from four weeks; harvest seed heads when brown and dry. Roots are used in Thai cooking.
What to watch for
Bolting; nothing else much.
Safety
Medicinal uses here are shared as history, not advice. Kitchen amounts are fine for most people, but teas, tinctures and supplements can interact with medicines and aren't safe for everyone, especially in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, for children, or with liver or kidney problems. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any plant as medicine.
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More annual vegetables, herbs and grains
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home