How can I grow cilantro year round?

timetraveler zone 10a Melbourne Beach, Florida

5 years ago

I like to use cilantro in cooking. When I buy it at the grocery store, it's half rotted by the time I get it home. It won't grow for me in the Florida summer heat. I've tried growing it under lights inside, but it didn't do well there either. Can I grow it outside, inside, or a combination? How? My house is 83 degrees in summer and 78 degrees in winter.

Featured Answer

Lynda (Zn9b/23 - Central CA Coast)

5 years ago

We grow cilantro year round, but it does much better in the Fall/winter/spring than in summer. I start seeds in small pods placed in full sun with ample water. Then I transfer the seedlings to raised outdoor beds in either full shade (summer) or partial shade (fall/winter/spring). This is the only thing that has worked for me and using this method, I did mange to grow cilantro all summer. If I try to direct seed in a shady location, the seed never germinates or is very weak. If I try to direct seed in a sunny location, it bolts before I get a significant crop.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

four (9B near 9A)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The flavor of culantro is similar, and culantro grows here (FL 9b).
Related Professionals
Asheville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Longview Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Mansfield Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Williamsport Landscape Contractors · New Braunfels Architects & Building Designers · Edison Architects & Building Designers · Washington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Wilmington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Kalispell Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Platteville Kitchen Remodelers · Montréal Kitchen Remodelers · York Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Florence Landscape Contractors · Napa Landscape Contractors · Pueblo Landscape Contractors
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Definitely a cool weather crop. Some varieties are bred to make seeds, so they'll bolt quickly.

I just received a culantro plant from my neighbor. It has a very pronounced cilantro aroma. I understand it's stronger than the regular cilantro, so you don't need to use as much.

Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of cilantro. I much prefer the flavor of coriander seeds.

Pinetree Garden Seeds has a bolt resistant variety...

https://www.superseeds.com/collections/herbs/products/large-leaf-cilantro-45-days
timetraveler zone 10a Melbourne Beach, Florida
Original Author
5 years ago
A couple of times, I planted culantro. All I got was a small plant with sharp leaves. By the time I cut off the spikes, there wasn't much left for cooking. Have you, four or carolb, had better experiences with this herb?
four (9B near 9A)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Variable experiences, including wonderful and abundant.

You understand, right?, that the spikeys are bracts, they are not the leaves. USE the bracts whole in cooking. Discard them as you eat, as you would whole leaves.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
5 years ago
Mine is new and I have no experience yet. As I said, it was a gift and I'm not a fan of the taste of cilantro, so I imagine I'll have much, much more than I'll use.