Cilantro refers to the leaves of the coriander plant (Coriandrum sativum). Sometimes called coriander leaves or Chinese parsley, it is a familiar cooking herb just as the coriander seeds are a familiar cooking spice. Not only does cilantro figure prominently in Southeast Asian cooking, one finds it in Middle Eastern and Mexican cuisines as well.
About three years ago, I started growing Vietnamese cilantro (sometimes called Vietnamese mint) which is easy to propagate and which do not require a lot of tending. I’ve been using it in a lot of dishes and they’re great with Southeast Asian food. But while they’re great when added to the cooking pot, as a garnish, the leaves are more fibrous than the variety with scalloped (grooved?) leaves. And I’d miss cilantro even more.
Not everyone likes cilantro, some go as far as to say they hate it, but I am absolutely crazy about it. The piquant (sometimes described as pungent) flavor perks up soups, spring rolls and stews like no other herb can. I used to buy cilantro from the supermarket but storing them was problematic. The best way is to keep them in the fridge wrapped in paper to absorb the water to prevent them from rotting fast. But even wrapped in paper, cilantro only lasts for a few days. And they’re never as good as when they’re freshest. I tried growing them in the garden but they never lasted more than a few days. They just shriveled and died.
Last December, less then six months after we moved to this house, I finally got around to buying herbs to grow in the garden. I bought two small cilantro seedlings and, this time, I was careful to ask the shop attendants for tips on how to nurture them. First tip, grow them on on well draining soil. Second tip, if they appear to bend sideways, let them be — when the branches stay low, they actually grow roots. You can see my cilantro in the photo above and they’re thriving. I’ve actually started to snip the tops to garnish my soups.
Cilantro is an annual plant which sometimes survives a second year. But since they are not perennials, I’ve read up on how to plant them from coriander seeds to make sure that I’ll have a steady supply of cilantro all year ’round.
From Gardening Knowhow:
… The “seeds” are actually two cilantro seeds encased in a husk. The husk is hard, round and is light brown or grey in color. Before you plant them in the ground, you need to prepare the cilantro seeds to increase the chances that they will germinate. Gently crush the seed husk holding the two seeds together. Soak the cilantro seeds in water for 24 “? 48 hours. Remove from the water and allow to dry.
How to Plant Cilantro
Once you have prepared the cilantro seeds, you need to plant the seeds. You can either start cilantro indoors or out doors. If you are starting the seeds indoors, you will be transplanting cilantro to the outdoors later on.
Put the seeds in the soil and then cover them with about a 1/4 inch layer of soil. Leave the cilantro growing until it is at least 2 inches tall. At this time, thin the cilantro to be about 3-4 inches apart. You want to be growing cilantro in crowded conditions because the leaves will shade the roots and help to keep the plant from bolting in hot weather.
If you are transplanting cilantro into your garden, dig holes 3-4 inches apart and place the plants in them. Water thoroughly after transplanting.
Cilantro Growing Conditions
The most important thing to remember when growing cilantro is that it does not like hot weather. Cilantro growing in soil that reaches 75F will bolt and go to seed. This means that the ideal cilantro growing conditions are cool but sunny. You should be growing cilantro where it will get early morning or late afternoon sun, but be shaded during the hottest part of the day.
When I get to the planting-cilantro-from-seeds part, I won’t forget to take photos so I can show you the stages.
Alam mo Ms. Connie sa site mo ako natuto gumamit ng fresh herbs
..Kaya ngayon, I started collecting grown herbs, I already have sweet basil, which I’m planning to transfer tomorrow coz the leaves started to fall. I also bought a grown cilantro about 2 feet long last December, sadly it died before i can transplant it. Naputol kasi ang isang branch, akala ok lang siya putulin pero all the leaves withered then namatay na.
Mas mabuti ba kung seeds ang itanim instead of buying the grown ones? How many months will it have to grow para pwede na iharvest? Thanks!!
Haven’t tried planting from coriander seeds yet. When I bought the cilantro seedlings, they were about 4 inches tall and they’ve grown so much. Wag lang masyado gagalawin habang pinapalaki. And they hate heat. Morning sun lang.
I started with sweet basil 2 months ago, checking whether I have my dad’s green thumb. So far, so good and been harvesting the leaves, too. I’m planning to have coriander as well, plus spring onion, thyme and rosemary. Nakakatuwa magpalaki ng herbs…
By the way, I used to hate coriander but love it now. Hindi pa din type ng 2 boys ko kainin yan pero they love what I cook with coriander in it!
My girls aren’t crazy about cilantro either so when I add it as garnish, I only add to my share. I guess it’s an acquired taste.
all my herb plant died only the basil survive. so i’m using herb that i bough in the store. sayang talaga kaya lang i don’t have green thumb!
Hi Connie,
I was thinking what is cilantro in tagalog, when i saw your photo, ito ba yung kinchay? When i cook all the ginisang gulay, laging may kinchay para masarap. Pero i don’t like wansoy, masyadong matapang ang amoy. Where do you buy seedlings of herbs, i wanted to plant kasi mahirap mag store sa ref, madali masira. What i have in my garden is siling labuyo and luya, ung luya tumububo na pero di pa pwedeng iharvest. Ayaw ng luya ng matubig, ok na sya kahit di diligin.
Best regards,
Susan
It’s wansuy, Susan. Kinchay is Chinese celery which is more fibrous — okay for cooking but not for garnish. I buy potted herbs from Manila Seedling Bank.
The first time I had Cilantro, I hated it. But then I was pregnant with my daughter at that time. Now, I can’t get enough of it. I would put a whole bunch in the salsa or tacos.
Connie,
I’m glad you are promoting the use of herbs. I’m both a foodie and also a gardener. I grow many kinds of herbs including cilantro which are annuals and selfseeding. If you are interested in growing various herbs try ordering seeds thru Richters Herbs which have an online catalog.
From the looks of your plants which look good but it seems to be reaching for the sun and so I recommend putting it where there’s more sun. However because of the heat in Manila which is very hot compared to provincial areas, you will need a filter to provide some relief from that heat, such as a netting fabric which allows sun to go through but helps to prevent heat. You should also ahve some cooling element nearby such as setting the container atop a tray filled with pebbles and water. (if mosquitos are a problem, add a little film of cooking oil)
Like I said, im my garden, this plant self-seeds a lot. It bolts easily and seeds too easily. It only takes a few weeks before it starts to flower and seed.
I do know it doesn’t take to being disturbed easily and is sensitive to transplant shock. So try your best not to disturb the roots when tranplanting. Do not transplant when the sun is high and the heat is searing. So that probably means anytime past 10 a.m. – 4;00 p.m. Also water the plant BEFORE you do any transplant, and water after. The reason you water your plants before hand, is that you are giving your plants a good drink before you uproot them and so if transplant shocks sets in, the plant is well nourished to be able to survive that transplant. Do not fertilize after a transplant.
Another thing about soil. In Manila, the soil tends to have too much clay or too much sand. The soil normally described in these gardening forums are a balance of compost, composted manure and basic soil.
I just love herbs and use such things as rosemary, oregano, dill, thyme, cilantro, basil, thai basil in my cooking. I also have managed to grow lemon grass from store bought products. In the Philippines these are abundant of course, over here in Canada it’s more like an annual.
Hope this helps with any of your future endeavors.
Maria, when I bought the cilantro seedlings (along with soooo many others that I still have to write about:)), I also bought a pack of… I forgot what it’s called… but it was a soil mixture to mix with regular garden soil to make sure the soil drains well. Here in Antipolo, the soil is red clay so it really has to be mixed with something more porous.
Dear Connie,
It is definitely encouraging that you are promoting the use of herbs (and spices) in the Phlippines. I often thought that our cuisine seemed ‘trapped’ in variations of the same thing which are garlic, onions, ginger, bay and black pepper. I do love our food, but having tasted many other cuisines, I have realized that boy, we have missed out on what our other southeast asian neighbors have enjoyed for so long. There’s so many interesting ways to enhance our cuisine with herbs and spices. Please keep up the good work promoting herbs and spices.
I also have heavy clay in my garden. It’s the remnants of huge glaciers that went through our province. Hard stuff but very rich in nutrients. It didn’t take long for me to amend so I can plant my garden.
You had probably purchased a compost mix which contains decomposed plant matter, something to add grit like vermiculite or gritty sand, and soil. If there are any white beads in it resembling pieces of styrofoam, it likely contains vermiculite. Interestingly, the Philippines exports vermiculite in great amounts to North America. Vermiculite adds to porosity of garden soil and potting soil – it’s widely used over here. If you are interested, I can provide you with a simple way of creating your own garden compost without having to pay for these things. It’s not difficult at all. You could incorporate it directly into the soil or create it in a large pile at the far back of your garden.
I hope you do a lot of experimentation with your herb garden and please feel free to contact me directly if you have question.
Maria, re “If there are any white beads in it resembling pieces of styrofoam…”
Yes, yes, like white sand in the mixture. And, yes, I’d love tips galore on gardening. Summer’s coming and it’ll be the best time to fix the garden, before the rainy season and all. Thanks.
Sayang, i don’t have a space to plant herbs coz we live in an apartment. But if I will have a space, I would like to try my luck
I don’t know if I have a green thumb like my mom but herbs would be a good way to test coz I love cooking and I love fresh ingredients.
Some herbs grow well in pots, Nina.
Hi Connie, Maria..
What herbs grow well in pots. I cook a lot and like what Maria said, I’ve been trying to get out of the usual Filipino spice and seasoning circle, but try leaving basil in the fridge and half the bag goes to waste.
I’d like to plant my own herbs. Will basil and spring onions thrive in pots? Rosemary?
Basil and rosemary, yes. But I suggest a not-too-small pot for the basil as it grows bushy and the roots will need room to grow. Spring onions, I don’t know.
Cilantro and parsley grow better in wide shallow troughs. They’re sort of creepers — the stems bend down touching the soil and grow roots.
Hi Paul,
I’m rather late in responding to this as well. I can only speak about the Italian Basil which is commonly used in making pesto. It doesn’t last long once cut but you can preserve it in ice cube form. Normally, you prepare it in the same manner for all pesto recipes like olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper but skip the parmesan cheese till later when you are about to use it. Blend the ingredients to a paste (hence the word pesto) and place in ice cube trays. Later when solid store in plastic cases in your freezer.
Great with fettucini pasta, or spaghetti or even with grilled fish or shrimp.
You can definitely grow basil in pots but since these will flower early, I would plant in succession so you have the next batch coming up soon after the first starts to flower. In my yard I tried to pinch off the blooms to keep the plant going further. With spring onions (or bunching onions) – certainly these can grow in pots. When before I had a little room to grow my herbs, I grew many in one large container. Rosemary,sage, thyme, parsley can all be grown in one pot. Basil needs it’s own space. However, just a note. Rosemary is a plant that prefers free draining soil. It hates having wet feet and so wherever you plant these make sure the soil does not hold the water too long.
Maria
I’m residing in Zamboanga City. I am planning to have an organic garden and it needed some Epsom salt, perlite, vermiculite, boric acid to name a few. where could i purchase those items? Thanks.
wow cilantro.
here in australia (sydney) herbs are widely and commonly used as they impart such nice flavour to dishes and the aroma is just so enticing.
as of now, i am not into cilantro (coriander here). i dont like the smell and much the taste.
i am about to complete my course in commercial coookery next month. we made a buffet menu and in my entrees i included cilantro prawns with red pepper flakes, my teacher asked me why cilantro he said it is american. i told him to show maybe something different in the menu and not used coriander. he said it is american, i said i know. and we also call it cilantro in the philippines.
it is so nice to read the comments here that herbs are now being known there. here in australia we have all these nice herbs thyme, sage, taragon, rosemary, oregano, coriander,basil, mint (my favorite garnish) different parsley, dill, chives, shallots and a lot more. fennel bulbs are also widely used like fennel soup.
my brother ( a chef) loves coriander so much.
he always use it in dishes which i would not eat.
there is more than bay leaves and paminta, let us use herbs.
cilantro is also a good chelator..i really want to plant some herbs in my garden for a long time.. i just dont know where to buy them where could i buy seedlings? or those who are already at least 4 inches tall..thanks a lot
If you’re in Metro Manila, go to Manila Seeding Bank.
I am working in Dubai, and I use to eat coriander leaves everyday. I am thinking how to gorw coriander leaves in my room here and home in india.
Just I would like to know one think that once cut the plant just above the erth, will it grow again and again?
They don’t grow from cuttings.
I’ve been told this procedure but haven’t tried yet: buy coriander seeds, crush lightly to open the husks, soak in water overnight then plant the following day.