Coriander ( Coriandum sativum ) is an annual herb that is popular in many Indian and southeast Asian cuisine, either fresh or as a dried herb used for flavouring. It is native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe and is generally grown in the warmer parts of the year, however, can bolt quickly in warmer temperatures; so is preferably grown in cooler periods. Coriandum sativum is also used as an essential oil, as the plant is known to have health and medicinal properties. In general, it seems the taste of this herb is either liked or really disliked by people. The entire plant is edible with the roots having the strongest flavour. It is suitable to grow in any climate. Growth The Coriander plant grows to approximately 50 cm’s tall by 30 cm’s wide. The leaves are different on each part of the plant, lower down they are larger and deeply lobed; like you would see in the supermarket but as you get higher up on the plant, they become thin and feathery. The flower of this plant is unusual and pretty, varying from white to a light pink, they grow in clusters and have 5 smaller petals and then dependent on whether they are male, female or bisexual (which can all be found on one plant), have up to 5 larger petals that are on one side only. From seed the plant is ready for leaf harvesting at 30-50 days, 80 days for seed. The seed supplied is a slow bolting variety however, Coriander likes a full sun position and will bolt to seed quicker if the air and soil temperatures are too warm or the soil is too dry. This can be further prevented by planting at the right times of year; usually when the temperatures are cooler in early Spring or in late Summer depending on your climate. Suitable for container / pot growing. *We do not sell seedling of this species because it does not transplant well* Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record. FAMILY: Apiaceae CLIMATE: Cold to Tropical TEMPERATURE RANGE: 4 to 35°C / 39 to 95°F SOIL TYPE: Compost, nutrient rich soil, that must be well draining. LOCATION: Full sun to light shade HEIGHT: Up to 50 cm’s (1.6 feet) WIDTH: Up to 30 cm’s (1 foot) pH: 6.5-7.5 GROWTH TYPE: Annual WATER REQUIREMENTS: Medium POLLINATION: Bisexual flowers. Pollinated by insects, self-fertile MATURITY: Average 30-50 days for leaf harvesting, 80 days for seed. GERMINATION RATES: 52-67% GERMINATION TIME: 10-21 days, often sporadically GERMINATION DIFFICULTY: Easy SEEDS PER GRAM: Approximately 80 MEDICINAL QUALITIES: Yes WEED POTENTIAL: No FACTS ABOUT CORIANDUM SATIVUM (Coriander) Cilantro or Chinese Parsley are other common names for this species. Coriandum sativum has a long history of medicinal uses and aids in the relief of digestion problems, as a pain and inflammation reliever and even has anti-cancer benefits. The plant can cause allergies in some people, often if they also have allergies to other members of the Apiaceae family, like Celery, Caraway, and Fennel.
