Cilantro
Coriandrum sativum
4-inch pot
 
A versatile and fast-growing herb, cilantro is prized for its fresh, citrusy leaves and aromatic seeds, known as coriander. The delicate, finely divided foliage is widely used in a variety of cuisines, while the seeds offer a warm, spicy flavor for cooking and seasoning. As the plant matures, it produces airy clusters of small white to pale pink flowers that attract beneficial insects.
 
Cilantro performs best in cooler conditions and tends to bolt quickly as temperatures rise, so successive sowing can help extend the harvest. It thrives in well-drained soil with consistent moisture and can be grown in garden beds or containers. Harvest leaves regularly when young for the best flavor.
 
Herbaceous annual herb
Zones 3–11 (grown as annual)
Full sun to part shade
Grows 12–24 in. tall x 6–12 in. wide
Moderate water needs; prefers evenly moist, well-drained soil
Generally pest-resistant
Blooms May–Jun (bolts quickly in warm weather)