Cilantro
Seed # 173
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 173
- Seed Name
- Cilantro
- Variety
- Slow Bolting
- Category
- Herb
- Plant Family
- Apiaceae
- Plant Type
- Cilantro/coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Mar 24
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Sep 15
- Plantable Months
- March, April, May, June, August, September
- Indoor Start
- Not recorded
- Direct Sow
- Mar 24 – Sep 15
- Transplant
- Not Recommended
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not Recommended
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- Not Recommended
- Germination Days
- 7–10 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 30–45 days to leaf harvest
- Succession Planting
- 21 days
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 55-68°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/4-1/2 in
- Plant Spacing
- 3-8 in
- Row Spacing
- 18-24 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- 3-8 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water Needs
- Keep consistently moist but well drained; heat and drought stress encourage bolting
- Soil Preference
- Fertile, well-drained soil; approximately pH 6.2-6.8
- Minimum Container Size
- 8-10 in deep
- Plant Height
- 12-24 in
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- No
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- Yes
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Medicinal Pollinator Seed Saving TeaCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arugula | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Broccoli | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Broccoli | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Kale | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Spinach | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Spinach | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Spinach | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Cilantro | Avoid | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- San Diego Seed Company; Rare Seeds; MSU Extension
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Direct sow preferred
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Mar 20 – Jun 1; Aug 1 – Sep 10
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 30–45 days for leaves
Container Friendly: Yes, 8–12+ in deep
Pollinator Friendly: Yes when flowering; attracts small beneficial insects
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary herb; coriander seed is also edible
Perennial?: No; annual
Succession / Reusable Notes: Sow every 2–3 weeks in cool weather; let some plants flower for coriander seed and pollinators.
Zone 6B Notes: Grow heavily in spring and again in late summer/fall rather than fighting midsummer heat.
Companion Plants: Lettuce, spinach, radishes, brassicas
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Even slow-bolt cilantro eventually bolts in heat. Root disturbance can trigger stress, so direct sowing is preferred.
Sources: San Diego Seed Company: https://sandiegoseedcompany.com/product/herbs/cilantro/organic-slow-bolt-cilantro-seeds/ | Rare Seeds: https://www.rareseeds.com/cilantro-slo-bolt | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Grow from early spring into early summer, then sow again as late-summer temperatures decline. Slow-bolting strains remain leafy longer than standard cilantro but will still flower during sustained heat.
Germination: Direct sowing is preferred because cilantro develops a taproot and can resent transplanting. Germination usually occurs in about 7-10 days.
Harvest: Harvest outer leaves after plants reach approximately 6 inches tall. Once plants bolt, allow seed to mature if coriander seed is desired.
Seed Saving: Allow coriander seeds to turn brown and dry on the plant, then collect and store in a cool, dry, dark location.
Special Care: Succession sow about every 3 weeks for continuous foliage. Afternoon shade can help prolong leaf production as temperatures rise.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/cilantro-slo-bolt — Slo-Bolt cilantro identity, delayed bolting, coriander seed use and seed-saving method
Research Source: Epic Gardening — https://shop.epicgardening.com/products/cilantro-slow-bolt-org — Slow Bolt cultivar, 12-24 inch height and succession planting
Research Source: National Library of Medicine / PMC — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8747064/ — documented traditional medicinal uses of Coriandrum sativum
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]