How to Grow Coriander from Seeds at Home | 10 Easy Tips for Fast and Healthy Growth

If you’re looking for herbs that are easy to grow in your kitchen garden, then you should definitely grow coriander. Yes, coriander is one of the easiest herbs you can grow at home in pots or containers. With a little care, you can enjoy fresh coriander to eat in just 30 to 45 days.

How to grow Coriander from Seeds

In this article, you will learn some easy step-by-step methods for growing coriander – from sowing seeds, preparing the right soil mix, choosing the right pot, watering techniques, and fertilizing tips. If you are a beginner, these simple methods will help you grow lush green coriander in your kitchen garden.

Do You Know? (Benefits of eating coriander) Eating coriander is also beneficial for health. It can be effective in improving digestion, maintaining cholesterol levels, and treating diabetes, kidney problems, and several other diseases. It contains protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrates, and minerals, which make it a powerful food.

Expert tips to grow Coriander from seeds at home

1. Best Season and Temperature for Growing Coriander

(i) Ideal growing season for coriander

It is important to know the right season, if you are a beginner and growing coriander from seeds for first time.

• Coriander grows well in both slightly cool and mildly warm weather. The best time to grow coriander is during the autumn and spring months when temperatures are mild.

Note:

In India, you can sow coriander seeds in

• Autumn – from September end to October and
• again in Spring –  from mid-February to early March.
• These periods provide the best conditions for rapid and healthy growth.

(ii) Ideal Temperature for sowing coriander seeds 

• The temperature should be between 15°C and 25°C. At this temperature, the seeds germinate quickly.
• It takes approximately 6-7 days to germinate.

2. Best Soil Mix for Coriander

If you want your coriander to grow healthy and lush, the most important factor is the soil mix. Many gardeners make a common mistake here — they overlook the soil quality and later complain why their coriander seeds didn’t sprout properly.

Coriander needs soft, loose, and well-draining soil to germinate easily. When the soil is hard or compact, the seeds struggle to germinate, and growth becomes weak.

To make perfect soil mix for coriander, you can add:

• Organic compost (vermicompost) in the soil to provide essential nutrients.

• River sand – mix small quantity of river sand to improve drainage.

• Keep the soil moist but never soggy, as coriander dislikes standing water. Coriander plants have very short roots, and too much water can cause the roots to rot.

3. Use good quality coriander seeds

The biggest mistake some gardeners make is that they don’t pay enough attention to the coriander seeds.

You’ve often heard the saying – you reap what you sow –

The same applies here – If your seeds are of good quality, your coriander yield will also be very good.

• To grow coriander, it is advisable to buy fresh coriander seeds from a nearby seed shop or nursery or a trusted online seller.
• Avoid using seeds from your kitchen, as they may be old and less likely to germinate successfully.

4. Choosing the Right Pot for Coriander

For growing coriander, I always recommend using rectangular pots that are 6 inches deep and have drainage holes at the bottom. This is the best pot size and type for growing coriander.

You can also grow it in a 12-18 inch grow bag. Coriander grows very well in this as well.

4. How to Sow Coriander Seeds Step-by-Step

Correct way to plant and cover the seeds

• You can cover the holes with either clay pieces or newspaper.

• Fill the pot with the prepared soil mixture and water it sufficiently to make it moist.

Note:

• You have to give water to the soil before adding the seeds into the soil, otherwise, the seeds might get displaced from their place.

Make lines on the surface

• • You can use a trowel or any other tool to create lines on the surface of the soil mixture.

Use of coco peat for coriander seeds germination

• Then, fill these lines with coco peat, as this material can help seeds germinate more quickly.

 

5. How to sow coriander seeds in pot

• After creating the coco peat lines, place the coriander seeds on the surface and cover them again with the cocopeat.

sowing coriander seeds in pot

maintain the moisture level

• To maintain the moisture level in the soil, spray some water from the top.
• Avoid using a mug, glass, or pipe to water the  seeds, as this may displace them.

6. Sunlight requirement for coriander

Coriander needs 3-4 hours of direct sunlight to grow healthy and bushy.

• Therefore, place your coriander plant in a location where it receives daily sunlight, such as an open balcony, rooftop, or any other place that gets plenty of sunshine.

7. Best Watering method for coriander

It is important to avoid pouring water from the top, as it may cause the coriander leaves to become enfolded.

• Instead, water the plant from one corner of the pot, which will help to spread the water evenly throughout the soil.

8. Coriander Germination and Growth Timeline

(i) When seeds start germinating

• On the 6th day after planting the seeds, small leaves will begin to emerge as the seeds germinate.

• By the 10th or 11th day, there is a possibility that all the seeds will have germinated.

• To maintain the moisture level of the coco peat, spray some water on it whenever it seems dry.

(ii) Growth stages from sprouting to harvest 

• By the 16th or 17th day, the coriander plant should be bushy but not too dense.

• Approximately on the 25th to 28th day, the coriander plant should be fully grown and dense enough for harvesting.

• When you need to use coriander, simply cut the plant from the top and use it in your daily cooking for garnishes, chutneys, salads, and more.

9. Best Fertilizer for Coriander Plants

(i) Organic fertilizers to use (like mustard cake liquid fertilizer)

When and how to fertilize after each harvest –

• I always use organic fertilizers like mustard cake liquid fertilizer.
• Mustard cake liquid fertilizer is rich in NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium), which is good for our coriander plants.
• Applying it makes the leaves healthy and lush, and our plant becomes bushy.

When to apply:

• 20 to 25 days after germination of coriander.
• After the first harvest and every 20 days until the second and third harvests

How to Use:

• Take handful of mustard cake, break the big pieces into small pieces.
• Soak it with 1 litre of water for 24 hours.
• Dilute the mixture with 10 times more water, which means mixing 1 part of mustard cake liquid with 10 parts of water.
• Mix the solution very well and give this fertilizer directly into the soil around your coriander plant.

• During the fourth or fifth harvesting, you can harvest the entire coriander plant.

After harvesting, add some compost to the same soil and sow new seeds to grow coriander again.

10. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Coriander (i) Overwatering and poor soil Often, people overwater coriander plants, which damages the roots and stunts their growth. Using poor quality soil also causes water to accumulate on the surface, resulting in poor coriander growth. (ii) Using kitchen and old seeds Some people use old seeds or cheap kitchen coriander seeds, which do not germinate properly. (iii) Lack of Sunlight If coriander plants do not receive sufficient sunlight, they will not grow at all.

FAQs On How To Grow Coriander From Seeds Q1. What is the best season to grow coriander? Answer: The best seasons to grow coriander are autumn and spring. Q2. Where can I buy good quality coriander seeds? Answer: It is best to buy coriander seeds from your local seed store, a reputable nursery, or any online dealer. Q3. How much sunlight does a coriander plant need for good and bushy growth? Answer: Coriander needs 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily for good growth. Q4: How many days does it take for coriander leaves to be ready for harvesting? Answer: Coriander leaves are ready for harvesting in approx. 25 to 30 days.

Enjoy healthy and Organic Coriander!