How to Grow Your Own Coriander or Cilantro

I am certain that many of you add coriander to the shopping list before grocery shopping. It is a commonly used spice in most households. What people don’t know is that coriander is considered an herb too. While the seeds are used to spice your dishes up, the leaves of coriander are very useful as an herb too.

Scientifically referred to as coriandrun sativum , this is native to southern Europe, North Africa and Southwestern Asia. It is widely used in Indian, Middle Eastern, Oriental, and Spanish recipes.   Fresh coriander leaves, also known as cilantro, look similar to flat parsley found in Italy. This is because both coriander and parsley belong to the Apiaceae family. The leaves also taste like parsley, with a hint of citrus flavor. The seeds have a warm, mild flavor.  Coriander is also known as Chinese Parsley and Japanese Parsley in some parts of the world.

Coriander in your garden

Cilantro is an annual herb but grows best when the temperature is not too cold or extremely hot. Before planting, cultivate the soil with a shovel or spade. Work the top 2-3 inches of the soil by mixing it with rotten leaves, manure or other composts. This will make very rich topsoil. Then make the area smooth with a rake. Rake the area smooth before planting. The soil would then be ready for planting seeds. Coriander seeds are very common and can be found in local nurseries and online stores. Some important points to remember about growing corianders are:

• Corianders thrive best in Tropical climate. So, it is advised to plant seed during early spring time. This would be during the months of March to May.

• Corianders prefer full sunlight so it is best that you plant it outdoors.

• It will grow well in soils with a ph of 6.1 to 7.8.

• Coriander plants will flourish with very little water. So, be careful enough to never over water. If you plan on planting it in a pot, assure that the pot has holes to drain excess water out.

• Corianders grow from 1 ½ feet tall to 2 feet tall and have delicate roots. This is why they can never be transplanted.

If the above factors are provided to the plant, you can successfully grow your own coriander. After harvesting the first few plants, keep some seed aside. You can plant these seed in the next year. That way you only have to invest once on seeds.

Harvesting and storage

Cilantro loses flavor when dried. It should be used fresh. It can be harvested when the leaves are about six inches tall. The entire plant is edible. you may decide to use the whole in a dish or chop it into fine pieces.

The seeds can be harvested too. To do so, you have to wait until they are ripe. Ripe seeds have a pleasant aroma. You should not wait until they drop off the plant, they are meant to be harvested directly from the plant. The seeds are stored and then ground before use. If you store the grounded seeds, the aroma will not be as strong.

Attributed medicinal uses

While it is mostly used in the kitchen to spice salsas, sauces and salads, cilantro has useful properties as a medicine too. It acts as a carminative. A carminative prevents gas from forming in your intestines. Carminatives also help to remove gas build ups from the body. People who suffer from rheumatism pains can apply a paste directly on the skin. They will be relieved from the pain. The plant also heals ulcers. Many people use it as an ayurvedic remedy. They believe it aids digestion and reduces headaches. It is considered a diuretic. So it promotes urination. It also is a solution to bladder problems.

Corianders may cause allergic reactions to some people. So, one should always talk to a doctor before using it. Coriander is an incredible herb and a useful spice. It will be an easy and helpful addition to you garden. Fresh home grown gardens will not only add flavoring in your kitchen but also treat many health problems.