How to grow Coriander in Australia
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), also called cilantro, is the leafy herb for Asian, Indian and Mexican cooking, and every part is edible: leaves, stems, roots and seeds. Its one vice is bolting to seed in warm weather. Sow it direct in the cool months, keep it moist, give it some afternoon shade, and sow a little every few weeks.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Coriander in Australia: Sowing, Pots and Bolting
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to August | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep (cool season preferred). Bolt-resistant in Melbourne winter; extend vs SEQ. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to August | Sow from March to August and avoid sowing from September to February. Coriander bolts above 25°C, so it does best in the cool months. |
| Perth & WA | March to August | Sow from March to August and avoid sowing from September to February. Coriander bolts above 25°C, so it does best in the cool months. |
| Tasmania | September to March | Sow Sep to Mar. Cool summers mean far less bolting than the mainland. Coriander actually works here. |
| Canberra & ACT | February to April, September and October | Sow Feb to Apr or Sep to Oct. Bolts fast in summer heat; winter soil too cold to germinate. |
| North Queensland | May to September | Dry season main window May to Sep. Coriander bolts in wet season heat. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to September | Dry season main window May to Sep. Coriander bolts in wet season heat. |
Where to plant
Grow coriander in rich, moist, well-drained soil with plenty of compost, in a garden bed or a pot. It does best in cool weather: soil above about 20°C and air above about 25°C send it quickly to seed. In warm areas, a spot with afternoon shade lengthens the leafy stage.
Coriander has a taproot and resents being moved, which also makes it bolt, so sow it where it is to grow.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers and Sydney: sow from March to July; autumn sowings give months of leaves before it thinks of flowering.
- Adelaide and Perth: sow from March to August, and avoid sowing from September to February.
- Melbourne: sow from March to September.
- Canberra: sow from February to April or in September and October; summer heat bolts it fast and winter soil is too cold to germinate.
- Hobart: sow from September to March; cool summers mean far less bolting than on the mainland.
- North Queensland and Darwin: sow in the dry season, May to September.
Choosing a variety
- Slow-bolt varieties, such as those sold as Slow Bolt and Santo, are slower to run to seed and give a longer leaf harvest.
- Confetti is a fine-leaved, feathery type.
How to plant
- Sow seed directly into moist soil or a pot about 1 cm deep, or in shallow drills.
- Sow in short rows or small patches, and thin seedlings to about 15 cm apart.
- Keep the soil moist; seedlings appear in one to two weeks.
- Sow a small batch every three or four weeks for a continuous supply.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist. Coriander that dries out quickly bolts. Mulch around plants and check pots often.
Feeding is not essential in soil rich in compost. A liquid seaweed or compost tea every few weeks keeps leaves lush, especially in pots.
Pruning and care through the year
- Give afternoon shade in warm spells.
- Pick regularly to keep plants leafy.
- Once plants start to flower, the leaves turn finer and less flavourful. Let them go to seed for coriander seed, and sow fresh plants for leaves.
Harvesting
Start picking when plants are about 20 cm tall, cutting the outer stems near the base, or pull whole plants. The roots are prized in Thai cooking; wash them well.
For seed, let a few plants flower and set seed. Cut the seed heads once the seeds turn light brown and dry, hang them upside down in a paper bag to finish drying, then store the seeds in a jar.
Growing in pots
Coriander grows well in a pot or trough at least 15 to 20 cm deep, filled with a rich potting mix. Pots dry out fast, so water often, and move the pot into afternoon shade in warm weather.
Companion planting
Coriander is rarely troubled by pests, and its flowers, if you let it bolt, bring in hoverflies and tiny parasitic wasps that help keep aphids down.
Good companions
- Spinach Another cool-season leafy crop for the same moist, rich soil.
- Dill A relative with the same cool-season timing whose flowers also feed helpful insects.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to coriander.
- Fennel Is said to hold back the growth of many plants nearby, and can cross with relatives grown for seed.
Pests and diseases
Coriander suffers from few pests or diseases. Bolting in heat is by far its biggest problem.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Small insects clustered on stems and the undersides of leaves.
Diseases to watch for
- Powdery mildew White, powdery patches on leaves, usually on older or bolting plants.
- Bacterial leaf spot Small, dark, water-soaked spots on leaves in wet weather. Remove affected leaves.
Common questions
Why does my coriander keep bolting?
Heat, dry soil and root disturbance all make coriander run to seed. Sow it direct in the cool months, keep it evenly moist, give it afternoon shade in warm weather and choose a slow-bolt variety.
When is the best time to plant coriander?
In most areas, autumn is best, followed by winter and early spring. Avoid sowing in summer, except in Hobart's cool summers. In the tropics, sow in the dry season. Pick your region at the top of the page for the months.
Can you transplant coriander seedlings?
It is better not to. Coriander has a taproot that is easily damaged, and transplanted seedlings often bolt soon after. Sow it where it is to grow.
Can you eat coriander roots?
Yes. Every part of the plant is edible. The roots have an intense flavour and are used in Thai curry pastes; wash them thoroughly.
How do I harvest coriander seeds?
Let some plants flower and set seed. When the seeds turn light brown and dry, cut the heads, hang them upside down in a paper bag to finish drying, then rub out the seeds and store them in a jar.
Does coriander grow back after cutting?
If you cut the outer stems and leave the centre, it keeps producing for a while, but it is a short-lived annual. Sowing a fresh batch every few weeks gives a steady supply.
When can I start picking coriander?
Once plants are about 15 to 20 cm tall, usually six to seven weeks after sowing. Take a few stems from each plant at a time so it can recover, and pick regularly.
Sources we checked: Sustainable Gardening Australia: Growing coriander; Gardening Australia: Coriander plant finder; Gardening Australia: Curbing Seedling Bolt; ABC Organic Gardener: Coriander; RHS: How to grow coriander.