Coriander
Sow direct and sow often — this genus bolts faster than any other herb in this KB, so success depends on succession sowing every few weeks and accepting a short leaf-picking window per batch, not on nursing individual plants along.
Care
A little afternoon shade in a hot summer slows the genus's strong tendency to bolt.
Keep consistently moist — this genus bolts to flower rapidly in response to drought stress or heat, more readily than almost any other kitchen herb.
Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil.
Not applicable in the usual sense; harvest outer leaves regularly and sow little and often, since individual plants have a short productive leaf-picking window before bolting.
No feeding — a rich, well-fed coriander bolts even faster than a hungry one, and bolting is the whole problem with this plant.
From seed sown direct where it is to grow, in succession every few weeks: coriander hates being transplanted and bolts if its roots are disturbed, so module-raised plants rarely last. Let one plant flower and it will seed itself.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilSow direct where it is to grow — this genus dislikes root disturbance and often bolts if transplanted, so avoid starting it in modules or pots for transplanting if possible. how ›
- MaySow a follow-on batch every two to three weeks through the growing season — this is the only reliable way to keep a continuous supply, since each sowing has a short leaf-picking window before running to flower. how ›
- JulyLet some plants flower and set seed if coriander seed (for cooking or resowing) is wanted — the leaf and seed uses come from the same plant at different stages. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilSow direct where it is to grow — this genus dislikes root disturbance and often bolts if transplanted, so avoid starting it in modules or pots for transplanting if possible. how ›
- MaySow a follow-on batch every two to three weeks through the growing season — this is the only reliable way to keep a continuous supply, since each sowing has a short leaf-picking window before running to flower. how ›
- JulyLet some plants flower and set seed if coriander seed (for cooking or resowing) is wanted — the leaf and seed uses come from the same plant at different stages. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchSow direct where it is to grow — this genus dislikes root disturbance and often bolts if transplanted, so avoid starting it in modules or pots for transplanting if possible. how ›
- AprilSow a follow-on batch every two to three weeks through the growing season — this is the only reliable way to keep a continuous supply, since each sowing has a short leaf-picking window before running to flower. how ›
- JulyLet some plants flower and set seed if coriander seed (for cooking or resowing) is wanted — the leaf and seed uses come from the same plant at different stages. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchSow direct where it is to grow — this genus dislikes root disturbance and often bolts if transplanted, so avoid starting it in modules or pots for transplanting if possible. how ›
- AprilSow a follow-on batch every two to three weeks through the growing season — this is the only reliable way to keep a continuous supply, since each sowing has a short leaf-picking window before running to flower. how ›
- JulyLet some plants flower and set seed if coriander seed (for cooking or resowing) is wanted — the leaf and seed uses come from the same plant at different stages. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Plants flower and stop producing usable leaves within just a few weeks of sowing, especially in a hot spell or long daylight.
What to do. Largely unavoidable in high summer — sow in the cooler parts of the season (spring and late summer) for the best leaf crop, provide afternoon shade, and keep watering consistent; treat rapid bolting as the normal behaviour of this genus rather than a growing mistake.
How to spot it. Seedlings sulk, bolt early, or fail after being moved.
What to do. Sow direct in the final position where possible — this genus resents root disturbance more than most herbs.
How to spot it. On soft new growth.
What to do. Rinse off with water; avoid chemical sprays on a plant grown for eating.
Questions
Coriander: is it hardy?
H5: Hardy in most of the UK, but can struggle in the coldest inland or upland spots. It survives down to −15 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Grows well in a pot, which makes repeated small sowings and moving to a shadier spot in a heatwave easier to manage.
Coriander: when do you prune it?
Not applicable in the usual sense; harvest outer leaves regularly and sow little and often, since individual plants have a short productive leaf-picking window before bolting.
Coriander: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–July.
When do you feed it?
No feeding — a rich, well-fed coriander bolts even faster than a hungry one, and bolting is the whole problem with this plant.