5 Steps and Tips To Grow Cilantro Indoors

Cilantro is another vibrant green herb used in various culinary dishes that adds a refreshing flavor to meals. It can be eaten cooked or raw, is used in salads, soups, and meat dishes, and is very popular in Indian cuisines such as curries and rotis. In other countries, it is known as Chinese parsley or coriander. Cilantro isn't a finicky plant and can thrive in many conditions, including indoors. You can save money and enjoy having fresh cilantro all year round by following these 5 steps and tips to grow cilantro indoors.

You can use any pot, like plastic, ceramic, or clay. Make sure that it is at least 8-10 inches deep and 18 inches wide and has holes in the bottom for proper drainage. A container that has holes in the bottom will prevent root rot. Furthermore, place a saucer underneath to prevent the water from spilling everywhere.

The next step is to plant the seeds. You can either germinate them first (which may speed up the process), but it is not necessary. If you want to germinate the seeds, place them in a wet paper towel, fold the paper towel, and place it in a cool, dark place. Between three and five days, you should see small white-yellow roots.

Now fill your pot with fast-draining soil. You can purchase this at your local nursery or supermarket. If you’d like to add fertilizer too, then go ahead. Wet the soil with some water. Not too much, just until the soil is damp. Sprinkle the seeds evenly over the soil and cover with ¼ inch of soil.

Find a sunny window. Cilantro needs full sun to thrive. Between seven and ten days, you will notice that the seeds have germinated and are popping their heads out of the soil. If you don’t have a sunny window sill, you can also purchase a small grow light and place it in your kitchen. If using a grow light, make sure to leave enough spacing between the plant and light to prevent the light from burning the leaves.

Next, you’ll need to water your cilantro plant since the plant is indoors; it will need less water. Use a spray bottle and mist the soil lightly. Only water when the soil drys out. Cilantro plants need about an inch of water per week.

The last step is the best harvesting of your plant. To be able to harvest approximately four crops from a pot, wait until the stems reach six inches. Then, to encourage growth, using a pair of sterile scissors, cut the leaves ⅔ each week. Keep about an inch of the stems. Enjoy gardening. If you had fun learning 5 steps and tips to grow cilantro indoors, why not try growing some garlic indoors too?

Finally, cilantro plants are quite strong; however, they can attract pests and develop diseases. The most common problem is overwatering, which causes root rot. This leads to aphids and gnats, as they are attracted by the moist environment. To prevent this, water your cilantro a little bit at a time. Another problem that can develop is mildew and fungal wilt, which are caused by not having enough air circulation, so keep your plant in an open space.