Thinking of adding a cilantro plant in your garden or herb collection? You may need to determine first if it can grow in your region. If you’re wondering how to grow cilantro in Florida, you’ve come to the right place.
Cilantro is a relatively easy-growing plant that needs plenty of warmth and light. In the southwest and southern regions where the sun might be too much, you can plant or put them in a shaded location and they should do just fine. They also require rich and well-draining soil to thrive.
How to Grow Cilantro in Florida
Cilantro is a fine addition to any yard or garden. Florida’s climate is well-suited for the herb since it loves warm and humid environments and lots of sun.
Cilantro or coriander?
Before we proceed, you might be confused as to what cilantro is and what coriander is. Are they both the same? The answer lies in the plant and the region. In the US, coriander is the cilantro’s dried seeds while everywhere else in the world, the plant is called coriander and its dried seeds are called coriander seeds.
Sun and soil
Cilantro plants require full sun and well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. It’s best to put the plant in its own container or bed and not mixed with different varieties so it can reseed without needing human intervention.
Planting seeds
If you’re growing from seed, scatter them and thin out the weak ones, leaving a space of somewhere around 6 inches. It’s also recommended that you pinch them early to make them bushier and fuller.
Watering requirements
As far as watering is concerned, these plants like to have their roots on the dry side. Water only when the soil is dry, and less if the herbs are already well-established.
Staggered planting
If you want a constant supply of cilantro for cooking purposes you can stagger them in a 2-week period. This means planting new cilantro every two weeks until you have a dozen or so in your collection. You can fertilizer after about five harvests to keep them healthy, but organic compost might be a better idea overall.
When Can I Plant Cilantro in Florida?
In the Sunshine, State gardeners can start planting during early spring, fall, or winter months. It’s recommended that you wait for a cool day in fall or spring and choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight.
When growing from seed, you should completely soak it in water and leave it that way overnight in the refrigerator. When you start in the summer you can expect the plant to mature quickly and within 40 to 45 days. However, it will develop less foliage. In temperatures ranging from 50 to 85 degrees, F is where cilantro fully thrives.
The leaves and seeds of coriander can be used in a variety of dishes. For dried seeds, you can let the flowers bloom and turn brown, while its leaves can be cut within 45 to 70 days after planting. Depending on the variety, it’s best to cut mature exterior leaves individually or take down the whole plant to around 2 inches tall. Don’t worry, as cilantro will rebound and come back as long as the environment is conducive for growth.
If you want a sustainable and unlimited source of cilantro, you should allow a few of your plants to go to seed, then wait for those seeds to fall to the ground and germinate.
How to Harvest Cilantro at the Right Time
To get a fragrant cilantro specimen every time, you should wait until your plant has stems that are around 4 to 6 inches long. Cut the stem until about 2 to 3 inches above soil ground, but not so that you remove more than a third of the whole plant.
Pull the leaves from the stem one at a time, then gather your harvest and tie them all together with twine or a string. You can use them fresh, dry, or frozen.
As for collecting coriander seeds, wait until the plant flowers and when it turns brown. Pour the seeds in a container or a paper bag and allow the seed to dry. The heads should split in about 3-5 days in a sunny spot, revealing the true edible seeds within.
How to grow cilantro in Florida: Final thoughts
As you can see cilantro grows well in Florida due to the warm climate. You can add the leaves of the plant to many dishes and also remove the edible seeds and store them in a cool and dry place.
Related Article: What Herbs Can Be Planted Together? (Companion Planting)