Name: cilantro, aka coriander, aka Coriandrum sativum

Type of Plant:   An annual herb used around the world in a variety of dishes.

Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love that this herb is used in so many types of cuisine. To me, guacamole wouldn’t be guacamole without cilantro leaves. This is an easy to grow herb in full sun to part sun. It can be planted in the ground or in containers.

A Word to the Wise:  If you love this herb, plant seeds in the ground every three to four weeks from late-April on. That will ensure that you have leaves to harvest all summer and fall.  If you live where the summer temperatures are very hot, however, you’ll want to grow cilantro in the fall, winter and spring. (Note: you can make a pesto with cilantro and oil, freeze it, and use that in cooking during the hot months.)

When using this herb to flavor hot dishes like curries or soup, be sure to chop some leaves and save them for sprinkling over the dish right before serving.

Although the leaves have a citrus-like flavor to most people, about a quarter of the population thinks that this herb tastes like soap.

Although cilantro looks similar to parsley, the flavor is quite different.

Cilantro doesn’t take up much space in the garden so you can tuck a few plants just about anywhere. This basket is filled with garden produce, and a garden-based cocktail for celebrating the harvest. The cilantro is draped over the bottom and to the left.

Botanical Interest seeds offers Long Standing cilantro seeds. I’ve grown these for several years.

Because coriander is so cold tolerant, you can plant the seeds from April on.

If you look carefully, you’ll see Cilantro growing in the far right corner of these crates. We put Smart Pots in our insulated shed and grow lettuce and cilantro in them from winter into spring.