If you’re hoping to keep your cilantro (coriander) going through the winter, the first thing you need to know is that not all varieties are created equal. There’s a big difference between the standard cilantro we use for salsa and Vietnamese coriander. Standard cilantro is an annual (meaning it lives for one season), while Vietnamese coriander is a perennial that can live for years if you treat it right.
How to Get It Through the Winter
When the first frost starts peeking around the corner, you’ll want to move your Vietnamese coriander indoors. Pick a cool spot in your house—ideally somewhere under 68°F (20°C). The best part? You can keep harvesting fresh leaves all winter long! Just make sure it gets plenty of light and stays hydrated. If left outside, this plant usually won’t survive more than two nights at freezing temperatures. If you live somewhere with very mild winters, you might get lucky leaving it out with some extra protection like straw or brushwood. Just remember: even in winter, it needs a little water, though you can skip the fertilizer until spring.
Overwintering Indoors or in a Greenhouse
- Move your plant inside to a cool area (keep it under 68°F).
- Keep harvesting! Pruning the leaves actually helps the plant branch out and stay nice and bushy.
- Water regularly so the soil never completely dries out.
Overwintering Outdoors
If you’re attempting to keep your plants outside, you’ll need to bundle them up based on the size of their containers. Bubble wrap or foam wrap works wonders when wrapped around pots and planters. To keep the frost from creeping up from the ground, try propping your pots up on clay feet or a thick sheet of Styrofoam.
Protecting Multiple Herb Pots
If you have a whole collection of small herb pots, try the “crate method.” Place them all inside a wooden crate and pack the gaps with straw or dry leaves. Set the crate on a Styrofoam or coconut fiber mat, then wrap the outside with burlap or reed matting. Finally, tuck the crate into a spot that’s shielded from the wind and rain.