Some cannot get enough of its fresh, bright green flavor; others find the taste soapy. People who find coriander soapy are extremely sensitive to a chemical called aldehydes. This chemical, which is abundant in coriander, is often used in scented detergents and soaps! No wonder coriander is causing a great divide between folks.

But whether you love coriander or hate it, we can all agree that it’s one of the easiest to grow from seed. This goes especially if you’re using an herb garden starter kit; it will only take a few weeks to grow your own coriander plant. Here are some tips and tricks when growing coriander:

What is Coriander?

If you've always been confused about how coriander differs from cilantro, it's basically the same plant. Coriander refers to the leaves and stalks of the plant, while the word "cilantro" is the Spanish word for coriander leaves. The seeds of the plant are called "coriander seeds."

Coriander belongs to the same family as parsley. It's an annual plant that bears pink or white flowers in umbel clusters. It has a hollow stem that doesn't grow too tall. Coriander is native to the Mediterranean, Asian, and Middle East regions, so it's pretty resilient and drought-resistant. This herb is a staple in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian cooking. It has bright, flat leaves and a pungent smell akin to onions.

Health Benefits of Coriander

High in Vitamin K: Coriander is a superfood; it’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals that promote better health. One of the many nutrients in coriander is vitamin K. Vitamin K plays a critical role in blood clotting. This nutrient also promotes better bone health, cutting the risk of developing bone diseases like osteoporosis.

Packed with Antioxidants: the primary cause of progressive diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes is cell damage. Cell damage is caused by reactive ions called free radicals that attack healthy cells. To prevent free radicals from attacking healthy cells, you need to boost your diet with food packed with antioxidants. Coriander is teeming with antioxidants that protect healthy cells from free radical damage, minimizing your risk of developing serious health problems!

Reduced Inflammation: Internal inflammation can lead to serious health problems too. It’s linked to cancer and heart diseases. The nutrients in coriander minimize internal inflammation that can lead to progressive diseases.

Better Glucose Control: Some good news for diabetics, adding coriander to your diet help lower blood sugar levels. The herb contains a chemical that activates sugar-processing enzymes in the body. The study is in the early stages, but the results are promising.

Coriander Growing Tips

Growing cilantro from seeds is so easy. But it’s essential to prepare the seeds before sowing to ensure successful germination.

Coriander seeds are encased in a hard, round, light brown husk. The husk needs to be softened so the seedlings can break it. Before planting the coriander seeds, you need to soak the seeds in water for 24 to 48 hours. Some would even crush the seed husks to boost germination.

After removing the soaked coriander seeds, you can sow them in a pot of rich, well-draining soil. Germination takes about 2 to 3 weeks.

You can grow coriander indoors and outdoors as long as the plant gets enough sunlight. If you start the seeds indoors, you can transplant the seedlings outdoors later on. If you transplant the coriander plant outdoors, space the plants in 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm.) holes apart.

Cilantro has broad leaves, which could shade the roots from the sun. If you are planting coriander in a scorching spot, crowd the plants to keep the plant from bolting in hot weather. Let the coriander seedlings grow until they’re about 2 inches tall, then thin the plants to about 3 to 4 inches apart.

This herb loves the full sun; it requires about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. It will thrive in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.2 to 6.8. Coriander thrives in temperatures between 12° to 20°C. It's best sown directly in pots rather than growing in trays and transplanting the seedlings. In soil that reaches 75 F. (24 C.), the plant will bolt and go to seed.

Coriander doesn't require frequent watering, so water only when the soil is dry to the touch. This herb is prone to root rot, so avoid overwatering it. Also, be sure that the pots have holes at the bottom like the ones included in our herb starter kit to promote better drainage.

It's important to thin the plants to about 20 cm apart to grow to their full size. Regularly trim the plant’s soft stem to extend the harvest, rotating it as you harvest.

Growing Coriander with ECOgardener Herb Garden Kit

Growing coriander in your kitchen or backyard? It’s one of the most beginner-friendly herbs to grow, especially if you’re using an herb garden starter kit! But don’t take our word for it; grow your own herbs from seed by getting the ECOgardener herb garden kit now!