How to Plant Coriander Indoors: A Comprehensive Guide
How to Plant Coriander Indoors?
To plant coriander indoors, you will need a container with drainage holes, moist potting soil or coconut coir, and coriander seeds.
Fill the container with the growing media and plant the seeds about ¼ inch deep, covering them with potting soil.
Place the container in an area with a minimum temperature of 70°F and keep the soil moist but not saturated.
Thin the seedlings when they are two inches tall, leaving the best-looking plant for an 8-inch container or three seedlings for a 12-inch container.
Provide the plants with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight or use grow lights.
Water thoroughly when the soil surface starts to dry out and ensure good air circulation to prevent dampening off.
Harvest microgreens after about 20 days or full-sized plants when they reach about six inches in height.
Remember that cilantro is an annual herb with a short life cycle, so continuous planting of seeds is necessary for year-round indoor cultivation.
Key Points:
- Obtain a container with drainage holes, potting soil or coconut coir, and coriander seeds.
- Fill the container with growing media and plant seeds ¼ inch deep.
- Place the container in an area with a minimum temperature of 70°F and keep soil moist.
- Thin seedlings when they are two inches tall, leaving one plant for an 8-inch container or three seedlings for a 12-inch container.
- Provide plants with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight or use grow lights.
- Water thoroughly when soil surface starts to dry out and ensure good air circulation to prevent dampening off.
Did You Know?
1. Coriander is both an herb and a spice, as its leaves (known as cilantro) and seeds are used for culinary purposes around the world.
2. Coriander has been used for over 5,000 years, with evidence of its cultivation found in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
3. Coriander plants are prolific, as a single plant can produce hundreds of seeds.
4. In some cultures, coriander is believed to have medicinal properties and has been used to aid digestion and alleviate symptoms of food poisoning.
5. Coriander is not only used in cooking but also in perfumes and soaps due to its fragrant and refreshing aroma.
Lighting Requirements For Indoor Coriander
Coriander, also known as cilantro, is an herb that requires at least six hours of full sun per day or supplemental lighting when grown indoors.
As a cool-season plant, coriander thrives in temperatures between 50 and 80°F. To ensure the plant receives adequate light, positioning it near a south-facing window is ideal. However, if full sun conditions are not available, using grow lights can provide the necessary light intensity for healthy growth.
Supplemental lighting can be achieved using a 45-watt LED lamp. This type of lamp provides the right spectrum and intensity of light to prevent the cilantro from becoming “leggy,” which is when the plant becomes elongated and weak due to insufficient light.
By providing the coriander with the proper amount of light, you can ensure its growth and development indoors.
Choosing The Right Containers For Growing Cilantro
When planting cilantro indoors, it’s essential to select the right containers for optimal growth. Glazed clay or plastic pots are recommended, as they provide proper drainage and moisture retention. Containers should have drainage holes to prevent water from pooling and causing root rot.
For full-sized coriander plants, deep containers are recommended. An 8-inch pot can accommodate a single plant, while a 12-inch pot is suitable for growing three plants. These larger containers provide enough space for the roots to grow and allow the plant to reach its full potential.
When growing microgreens, shallow and wide containers or trays are recommended. These containers provide ample surface area for the seeds, allowing them to spread out and grow properly.
- Choose glazed clay or plastic pots
- Ensure containers have drainage holes
- Use deep pots for full-sized coriander plants (8-inch for single plant, 12-inch for three plants)
- Opt for shallow and wide containers or trays for microgreens.
Planting Coriander From Seeds Or Cuttings
Starting coriander from seeds is the best option for beginners. Coriander seeds are inexpensive and can be used to grow both microgreens and full-sized plants. To start coriander from seeds, fill a container with moistened potting soil or coconut coir. Plant the seeds ¼ inch deep and cover with a thin layer of potting soil. Place the container in an area with a minimum temperature of 70°F and keep the soil moist but not saturated. Thin the seedlings when they reach a height of two inches, leaving the best-looking plant for an 8-inch container or three seedlings for a 12-inch container.
Propagation using stem cuttings can also be used to grow full-sized coriander plants. Take a 4-inch stem cutting from a mature plant and remove the leaves from the bottom 2 inches. Place the stem in water until roots are a couple of inches long. Fill a container with moistened growing media and carefully plant the rooted cuttings, placing one cutting per 8-inch pot or three cuttings per 12-inch container.
Caring For Indoor Coriander Plants
Proper care is essential for the health and growth of indoor coriander plants. Providing them with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight or supplementing with grow lights is crucial. In addition, maintaining a temperature range of 50 to 80°F is optimal.
Watering is important to keep coriander plants healthy. For full-sized coriander plants, water thoroughly once the soil surface starts to dry out, allowing water to drain out of the container’s bottom. Microgreens should have consistently damp soil, avoiding overwatering that can lead to issues like damping-off, powdery mildew, and aphids. Using a spray bottle or a plastic water bottle with small holes punched into the lid is an ideal method for watering germinating seeds and seedlings.
Air circulation is important for coriander, especially when growing microgreens, as it prevents damping off, a fungal disease. Fertilizing is also important to provide necessary nutrients but should be done cautiously to avoid over-fertilizing.
Harvesting And Using Coriander
Harvesting cilantro is a delightful part of growing coriander indoors. Microgreens can be harvested after approximately 20 days. Simply cut the greens just above the soil line and use them fresh in salads, sandwiches, or as a garnish.
Full-sized coriander plants can be harvested when they reach a height of about 6 inches. Harvesting involves snipping one-third of the plant each week to ensure continuous growth. Direct sow seeds every 2 to 3 weeks to extend the plant’s lifespan.
Coriander is a versatile herb used in various cuisines around the world. It is widely utilized raw in Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian, South American, and North American cooking, particularly in salsas and soups. Its dried seed heads are used as coriander spice.
- Harvest microgreens after 20 days
- Cut cilantro just above the soil line
- Snip one-third of the coriander plant each week for continuous growth
- Direct sow seeds every 2 to 3 weeks
- Coriander is used in Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian, South American, and North American cuisine
- Coriander spice comes from dried seed heads.
“Harvesting cilantro is a delightful part of growing coriander indoors.”
Tips For Growing Coriander Year-Round Indoors
Growing coriander year-round indoors requires careful planning and attention. Because cilantro has a short life cycle of 8 to 10 weeks, continuously planting new seeds is necessary to ensure a fresh supply. In the winter, supplemental lighting with an LED grow lamp may be necessary to provide the required light intensity.
To maintain a healthy cilantro plant, it is important to provide proper drainage and use a suitable growing medium such as coconut coir or potting soil. The herb requires at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight and temperatures between 50 and 80°F for optimal growth. By following these guidelines and maintaining proper care and maintenance, you can enjoy fresh cilantro year-round, adding its unique flavor to your culinary creations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can coriander be grown indoors?
Coriander, also known as cilantro, can indeed be successfully grown indoors. Whether you opt for full-sized plants or microgreens, cilantro thrives indoors with proper care. Adequate sunlight is crucial, as these herbs require at least six hours of full sun per day or supplementary lighting. Additionally, maintaining temperatures between 50 and 80°F and ensuring the potting soil remains moist will create ideal conditions for indoor coriander growth.
How do you keep coriander alive indoors?
Coriander, also known as cilantro, can be successfully grown indoors with just a few key steps. First and foremost, ensure that you provide the plant with enough water to keep the soil consistently moist, but make sure not to overwater and cause waterlogging. It is also crucial to place the plant in an area where it can receive indirect sunlight, as direct sunlight can be too harsh for cilantro. Lastly, regularly pinching off the leaves for culinary purposes not only promotes a bushier growth but also helps to prolong the lifespan of the plant, allowing you to enjoy fresh coriander for a longer period of time. By following these guidelines, you can easily keep coriander alive and thriving in your indoor garden.
Does coriander like direct sunlight?
Coriander, also known as cilantro, thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun for optimal growth. While it flourishes in direct sunlight, it can still tolerate some shade during the peak of summer. While coriander appreciates the basking in the sun, it is adaptable enough to withstand some shade when necessary.
Can I grow coriander without soil?
Yes, you can definitely grow coriander without soil using a hydroponic system. Instead of planting the coriander in soil, you can place them in net pots or grow cups and immerse the plant roots into a nutrient solution. It’s important to ensure proper spacing between the coriander plants to allow for their unrestricted growth and development. This method allows for the cultivation of coriander in a controlled environment and can result in healthy and thriving plants.