Cilantro, coriander

With bright green, fern-textured stems, cilantro holds its own in beds or pots, forming a clump of sturdy, flavorful stems. Every part of cilantro promises a taste treat: spicy leaves, pungent seeds (known as coriander), and tangy roots. Most gardeners grow cilantro for the foliage, which boasts a citrusy bite that enlivens Mexican and Thai cooking. You might see this herb called Chinese parsley.

Once flowers form, leaf flavor disappears. Pinch plants frequently to keep flowers at bay. Cilantro tends to bloom as summer heat settles in; growing plants in partial shade and adding mulch can stave off flower shoots -- but not indefinitely. To ensure a season-long supply of leaves, sow seeds every 2-4 weeks. If plants set seed, dry seeds for use as coriander, and save a few for sowing. Allow flowers to drop seeds in the garden and you may be rewarded with a second crop.

Light:

Sun, Part Sun

Plant Type:

Annual, Herb

Plant Height:

5-24 inches tall

Plant Width:

4-10 inches wide

Bloom Time:

Midsummer blooms

Landscape Uses:

Containers, Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Flowers, Attractive Foliage, Fragrant, Dried Flowers, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Easy to Grow