Growing Cilantro in a Pot

Cilantro or Coriandum sativum as it is biologically called, is the name of one of the most popular and widely used herbs in the world. The leaves of coriandum sativum are referred to as cilantro. Cilantro plants are used in many cuisines, depending on the part of the plant that is eaten. Different parts of the plant are used for their flavor and aroma in Mexico, US Southwest, Latin America, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and in parts of northern Africa in the local dishes.

How to Grow Cilantro
Some of the important tips for growing the cilantro plant have been mentioned below.

• Cilantro needs an environment that is free of both, extreme cold (frost) and high temperatures. It is mandatory that one should grow cilantro during summer (in milder climates) and in tropical climates, as it is grown in cool and dry atmosphere.
• It is necessary to water the cilantro regularly and the plant should be rooted in suitable amount of soil.
• Cilantro is a plant that does not favor being transplanted. So, make sure that you plant it directly from seed and at the place where you want to plant it.
• Growing cilantro from seed is essential as unnecessary movement of the plant can cause pressure on the seed and kill it.
• Generally, growing cilantro in a pot is not a bright idea as the taproots of cilantro extend long and the small seedling pots can cause undue stress on the seeds and hamper their growth.
• It is advisable to buy cilantro seeds from the nursery rather than buying the plant.

Growing Cilantro at Home
Growing cilantro indoors is an easy, fun and interesting indoor gardening task, that you will love to perform on your own. One must ensure that it is planted properly by following the below mentioned cilantro growing tips.

• Growing cilantro in a pot that is 20 - 28 inches wide and about 10 inches deep is recommended as the size factor of the pot is crucial. Ensure a good drainage system.
• Fill the container with good potting soil that has fertilizer already added to it and moisten the soil before sowing the seeds.
• Since the seeds of cilantro are fine, they should be sprinkled over the top of the soil. The seeds must be covered lightly with soil and the top layer of the soil must be spread properly.
• The seeds will germinate if the pot is kept in bright sun for 7 to 10 days.

Growing Cilantro From Seeds
Some of the precautions while growing cilantro from seeds are as follows.

• Scientifically, the cilantro seeds must be sown 1 cm deep in the soil. However, it is better to cover the seeds and keep them moist.
• Plant cilantro in rows and if you have a lot of cilantro seeds then spread over a wide area.
• Avoid too many seeds in a smaller area. Let few cilantro plants grow freely so that they can be healthy and can achieve a good height of 50 cm or 2 - 3 feet.
• If you are growing cilantro for the leaf, keep a distance of 5 cm between the plants. More space is required when you grow cilantro from seeds, so make sure that you provide it.
• Cilantro seeds take about two to three days for germination so give them their time.

Growing cilantro from cuttings can be achieved by cutting the plant carefully as soon as it reaches a height of 6 inches (approximately), by removing the outer leaves and just leaving the growing points intact in the root. Cilantro is a widely used in the salads, soups, vegetables and other dishes all over the world. Growing cilantro in a pot is a good option for gardening lovers, however, do take care while growing them in your herb garden, as they need proper plant care.