Cilantro, popularly known as coriander, is one of the fastest-growing herbs that can be easily grown by people at home. This herb can easily add flavour to a number of different salads, curries, soups, chutneys, and many other dishes. Even if you are a new gardener, you will not encounter difficulties in growing a Cilantro plant at home. 

So, whether you have a little terrace garden or you have ample space in your backyard, you can easily use this guide to learn how to grow Cilantro. Use this simple guide to ensure that you have fresh and healthy coriander leaves and seeds at home. 

1. Seed Selection

Ensure you have quality cilantro seeds, which you should obtain from a credible gardening outlet. Coriander seeds are, in fact, dried fruits that contain two seeds each. Crush them lightly by squeezing your fingers before planting, as this aids in germination. Be careful not to damage the seeds when doing this.

2. Select a Suitable Pot

This plant does well in pots, meaning that you can grow it even on balconies and in limited spaces. Pick a pot that is about 6-8 inches deep and has drainage holes. This is essential since too much moisture in the soil due to poor drainage leads to root rot, which can ruin all your efforts. 

3. Prepare the Soil

You need to use loose and well-drained soil that has organic material. Garden soil, compost, and cocopeat should be mixed to create a good planting medium. Fill the pot while ensuring there is some space left. The soil should be moistened.

4. Sowing Cilantro Seeds

Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and cover with soil to a depth of about ¼ inch. Do not bury them too deep, as this may hinder their germination process. Lightly water with a spray bottle or watering can.

5. Provide adequate sunlight and water 

Ensure that the plant is placed in an area that receives 4-6 hours of sun per day. Cilantro thrives in partial sunlight, especially when it is very warm, and shade during the afternoons may be beneficial to the plants to keep them from stressing out.

The soil should be kept continuously moist during germination. You should water the soil whenever you find it drying up.

6. Thinning the Seedlings

Cilantro will take about one or two weeks to germinate under ideal conditions. After germination, thin out some of the smaller or overcrowded seedlings by leaving enough space for growth.

7. Harvesting Cilantro

Cilantro can be harvested after a few weeks since the plants have been sown. It can be harvested when the stems are already bearing leaves. Cut the outer leaves and stems just above the soil. You can maintain a constant source of fresh cilantro by planting new seeds a few times a week. The process is called succession planting.

Planting cilantro at home is easy and affordable. You only need good soil, sunlight, water, and harvest time to have enough supply of cilantro for cooking. All you need to do is follow the instructions that we have shared here, and you will have an ample supply of home-grown cilantro for any meal you want. 

Source: Abodelook