Cilantro is definitely one of those “exotic” herbs that adds a special kick to your home garden. If you’re a fan of that fresh, zesty flavor, you absolutely need to have some growing in your backyard or on your balcony. You can easily grab a starter plant from the nursery, or if you’re feeling adventurous, start it yourself from seed.
Light Germinators vs. Dark Germinators
Most herbs are “light germinators,” which is just a fancy way of saying they need light—along with water, oxygen, and warmth—to actually sprout. On the flip side, “dark germinators” need total darkness to get going. When you’re sowing seeds that need light, the rule of thumb is to barely cover them with soil—no deeper than the thickness of the seed itself. Common light-lovers include cress, dill, and carrots. Since these seeds are usually tiny, they don’t have the energy to push through a thick layer of dirt. That’s why I often recommend pre-sprouting your seeds on a damp paper towel indoors when you’re growing cilantro from scratch.
Sowing Your Cilantro
Compared to other herbs, cilantro can be a bit of a slow poke when it comes to germinating and growing. Because of that, it’s often way more efficient to just buy young plants at your local garden center. But, if you’ve got seeds saved from your last harvest and want to do it yourself, you can start sowing in April. Aim for rows about 12 inches (30 cm) apart, and give each plant about 6 inches (15 cm) of space within the row so they have room to breathe.
Finding the Perfect Spot
Cilantro loves a spot that is sunny and warm. It’s not too picky about the soil type, but the one thing it won’t tolerate is “wet feet”—so make sure the soil drains well and doesn’t get waterlogged. Since cilantro seeds need light to wake up, don’t tuck them into the soil any deeper than about a quarter-inch (0.5 cm). It also grows beautifully in a pot or container right on your balcony.
Sowing in Pots or Containers
- In early fall, fill a small pot with some good quality compost or potting soil.
- Sprinkle your seeds on top and give them a good misting so the soil is nice and moist.
- Cover the pot with some plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse effect.
- Place the pot on a sunny windowsill.
- Once you see those little sprouts popping up, go ahead and remove the plastic wrap.