Description

Coriander is a soft-leaved annual plant that produces white or pale pink flowers and can grow up to a metre in height. 

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is a member of the parsley family and the word coriander can be used to describe the entire plant: leaves, stems, seeds, and all. The leaves of the plant are commonly called cilantro, which comes from the Spanish word for coriander, or Chinese parsley.

 Coriander is a pungent herb and is best known for repelling pests and combatting spider mites.

 

Benefits 

Companion Plant

• Coriander can be planted throughout the garden in well-placed areas around tomatoes or spinach, or planted in rows bordering fruits and vegetables to warn of pests and attract beneficial insects.
• Companion planting coriander is beneficial for asparagus, chervil, basil, mint and spinach. Planting beans or peas near your coriander will be beneficial to the growth of your coriander plants.
• Avoid planting coriander near fennel.

Attracts Beneficial Insects

• Coriander is an excellent plant for attracting beneficial insects to your garden. The tiny flowers that are produced by the coriander plant accommodate beneficial bugs and encourage them to make their home among your plants.
• Coriander attracts beneficial insects like tachninid flies, parasitoid wasps and hoverflies to your garden. A tea made from coriander, used as a spray, will help to combat spider mites anywhere in the garden.
• Planting coriander as a companion in your garden, in combination with other small flowering pungent herbs, is a great way to create a pest-free environment, or at least keep them to a minimum, preventing damage to your crops.

 

How To Use

• Season: Spring (18-27 degrees Celcius)
• Germinate: 14 - 21 days
• Depth: 5 - 10 mm
• Spacing: 20 x 20 cm
• Harvest: 40 - 45 days, depending on weather conditions
• Height: 1m
• Flowering Season: Summer
• Exposure: Partial shade - coriander will bolt in hot weather

Ideal Growing Conditions:

• Coriander grows best in warm, well drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. In heavier soil it is best to ridge the plant rows to help water drain away from the roots.
• Coriander grows best in cooler climates with temperatures between 18 and 27 degrees Celsius. 
• Coriander will grow best sown directly into soil rather than grown in seed trays and transplanting. Seeds are best sown in groups of 5. 
• If you are primarily growing coriander to harvest cilantro leaves, place the plant in a cooler area of your garden to help prevent bolting.

 

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