CILANTRO

Needs Some Love

Indirect to Full Sunlight

Three black droplet shapes on a white background

Keep Soil Moist

Pet Safe

INDIRECT TO FULL SUN

☁︎ Give cilantro some shade ☁︎

Cilantro can wilt or bolt quickly in hotter climates. It loves the sun, but it also needs a break from the heat like the rest of us.

4 HOURS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY

Cilantro doesn’t tolerate low light well. It does enjoy some shade, but if shaded for too long it may appear leggy and its leaves will appear small, sparse and pale.

Cartoon sun character holding a flower and a potted plant with a cloud in the background.

FIND YOUR LIGHT

Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.

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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹

EAST-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants

WEST-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹

⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants

NORTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹

⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!

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KEEP SOIL MOIST

Cilantro has shallow roots that need regular hydration. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

If you notice droopy or wilted leaves by midday, it’s begging for a drink!

MODERATE HUMIDITY

Cilantro is pretty laidback, so indoor humidity is fine. In drier environments, do a quick mist around the base (avoiding the leaves) to boost humidity levels.

Cartoon water droplet character with a watering can and flowers on a white background

SOIL

CILANTRO DIGS A WELL-DRAINING, SLIGHTLY MOIST MIX

When choosing a potting mix for this herb, look for mixes that include:

Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

Small white pot filled with soil and small white stones on a wooden surface

Looks like gritty and chunky beach sand. Like perlite, it improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

Looks like fluffy, light brown fibers like shredded coconut husk (what it's made from). Helps hold moisture without making the soil too wet.

Seedling trays with soil and small green seedlings

Cartoon pot with face holding a trowel, surrounded by plants and flowers on a white background

HARVESTING

ALWAYS USE CLEAN SCISSORS OR HANDS

You can start harvesting when the stems are about 4 to 6 inches tall. If it’s big enough to taste, it’s big enough to prune!

A little snip every week or two keeps your cilantro leafy and delays flowering.

IDENTIFY THE PRUNING SPOT

Focus on harvesting the mature growth first. For whole stems, snip just above the soil line.

For individual leaves, find where a leaf stem joins the main stem and snip right above that point. This helps your cilantro branch out with new growth!

HARVEST VS MAJOR PRUNING

Light harvesting is basically pruning. If your cilantro gets unruly, trim it back more as needed.

Be careful to not remove more than half of the leaves at one time to avoid shocking it.

COMMON ISSUES

YELLOWING

A sign of overwatering or poor drainage of the pot. Although cilantro prefers moist conditions, soil that remains soggy can lead to root rot.

Remove affected leaves. Dry out soil completely (1-5 days). Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.

If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.

WILTING / DROOPING

Buckle up! This could mean anything.

⊹ SOIL CHECK ⊹
Soggy: Likely overwatered or poor drainage. Ensure your pot has drainage holes. Allow soil to dry out a bit.

Bone dry: Needs a drink. Water thoroughly until water drains from bottom.

⊹ STRESS ⊹
Temperature changes or repotting can also cause “droopy leaf” stress. Keep its conditions stable and give it time to adjust!

FLOWERING (BOLTING)

Hot weather or long daylight hours can cause cilantro to bolt.

Pinch off flower buds as they appear to keep cilantro fresh and flavorful.

LEGGY/PALE

A definite sign of not enough sunlight.

If you notice cilantro looking leggy and weak, it's time to move it to a brighter spot.

PESTS