Can You Grow Cilantro Indoors?

If you’re looking to grow a herb garden in your very own house, you might just be in luck with cilantro. This wonderful herb can be grown in the kitchen, and given the right conditions, can flourish quite well. 

So, if you want to learn all about growing cilantro indoors, continue reading! 

Supplies Necessary For Growing Cilantro Indoors

While it is very easy to grow cilantro indoors, you will need to ensure that you have the right supplies. Luckily, these are pretty basic supplies, that you can pick up in most garden centers, and even a few supermarkets. 

Containers 

When it comes to containers, you will need plastic pots or glazed clay. 

Avoid any terracotta pots, because this will not keep the soil as moisture as plastic, or glazed clay pots. You will also need to ensure that the containers have drainage holes. 

Full-sized cilantro survives best in a deep container. If you are growing only one cilantro plant, then you can use one 8-inch pot.

If you plan on growing multiple plants in one pot, then you can place up to three cilantro plants in a 12-inch pot. 

As a side note, glazed clay containers are better for the environment, and we prefer using this type, but plastic pots can work just as well and can be reused time and time again. 

Growing Media 

When it comes to growing media, we recommend that you either use potting mixes or coconut coir.

Both of which are very lightweight, while also being great at retaining water, while ensuring that any excess water is drained out immediately. 

This is exactly what you want when growing cilantro, so either one of these products is ideal for indoor planting. 

Planting Seeds, Or Plants?

When it comes to planting your cilantro, you will have to decide whether you want to grow your cilantro from seed, or whether you purchase cilantro plants that you can further grow. 

The choice is down to the individual, but there are pros and cons for both. 

When it comes to seeds, they are very inexpensive to buy. They also allow the gardener to either grow plants to full-size, or microgreens.

You also need to ensure that you follow the requirements perfectly to ensure that your cilantro grows, and you get a healthy plant. 

On the flip side, buying a cilantro plant can be very useful. It can be quite inexpensive, and you are able to use this plant, when full-grown, for cuttings. 

Planting Instructions 

Instructions on how to plant your cilantro will depend on whether you are planting from seed, or repotting a plant.

As already mentioned, we have given you the diameters of measurements you need to plant a cilantro plant in a glazed clay, or plastic, pot. Below, we will discuss how to plant cilantro from seed.

How To Plant Cilantro From Seed

1. Fill the container with the growing medium of your choice, ensuring that the growing medium is pre-moistened. 

2. Plant the seeds ¼” deep, then lightly cover the seeds with soil. 

3. Next, move the containers to a suitable location. The temperature should be at a minimum of 70 °F. 

4. The soil should be kept moist, but never saturated. 

5. When the seedlings are 2” tall, transport them to a container. Use an 8” container for one seedling, or a 12” container for a maximum of three seedlings, ensuring they are well spaced. 

How To Care For Cilantro Plants 

What About Light?

When it comes to light, indoor plants require a lot of sunlight in order to reach their maximum growth and their maxim yield. 

Looking at cilantro specifically, the requirements are between 6 and 8 hours of direct sunlight per day, when grown outside.

This means cilantro should be grown under this requirement inside the house and ideally aiming towards 8 hours per day. 

Understandably, not all homes have access to the best natural sunlight. Likewise, not all climates have extensive hours of natural sunlight, especially during the winter months.

In order to combat this, you can purchase a 45 watt LED lamp, a grow light, which should be suspended above the surface of the plant.

This growth light will prevent any, or most, of the damage from not receiving enough natural sunlight. 

What About Temperature? 

When it comes to the temperature of cilantro, cilantro is best grown between 50 and 80 °F.

It is a cool-season plant, which means that cilantro can survive fairly well in colder climates. This is good for indoor growers because it means that if the house is a little cold at times, it should not affect the health of the cilantro plant. 

What About Water? 

When growing cilantro, you need to ensure that your pots have proper drainage, otherwise, it can cause a lot of damage to the plant. 

For full-sized plants, you should thoroughly water the plants. Water should run through the bottom of the container, and this is when you know the soil is beginning to dry out.

The idea with cilantro is to ensure that the plant has moist soil, without an excess of water. 

So, always make sure that the soil has a decent level of moisture to it. With that said, do not allow the plant to sit in damp soil, as this can be very damaging. 

If you can use rainwater for the plant, it will be all the better for it. If not, using tap water is perfectly acceptable. 

What About Air Circulation?

Air circulation is important to the health of a cilantro plant. 

Cilantro can be susceptible to fungus, and in order to combat this, air circulation is necessary. If the cilantro is near a window, open the window daily, and allow for the wind to naturally flow through the cilantro.

If you cannot access a window, then use a small fan. Just place this fan near the cilantro plant, to ensure that the plant experiences a good level of movement. 

What About Harvesting Cilantro? 

Next, you might be wondering about the process of harvesting cilantro. 

To harvest cilantro, you should use scissors, and make sure your hands are clean. Full-sized plants are ready to be harvested when they reach 6 inches. 

Unfortunately, cilantro is not the type of herb that will reappear, it will last for between 8-10 weeks. If you are looking for an endless supply of cilantro, you should sow seeds directly into the pot every 2-3 weeks.

Also, make sure you snip the top of the cilantro every so often, as this will extend the lifespan of the plant. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can You Grow Cilantro Inside The House, In Any Month? 

Yes, you can grow cilantro indoors, year-round. 

It is a very good herb to be grown indoors for this reason. As long as you look after the plant properly, and sow new seeds every 2-3 weeks, you should be able to get an endless supply of cilantro all year long.

It does not matter what month you grow cilantro. 

You should note, cilantro may need more water during the summer months. This is because the heat can dry out the soil. You will have to pay extra attention to the soil to make sure that the cilantro is in good condition.

Why Does My Cilantro Always Die? 

Cilantro does not have a very long lifespan. 

It will last between 8-10 weeks. So, while you may enjoy two months of fresh cilantro, after this period, the cilantro will not grow back.

That is why you should place cilantro seeds in the pot around every 2-3 weeks, to ensure that cilantro is always growing. 

Can I Really Grow Cilantro In A Pot?

Yes, you can grow cilantro in a pot, and in fact – cilantro can grow very well in a pot. 

As long as you meet the right nutrient requirements and space out the seeds, your cilantro will be very happy. 

The most important thing is ensuring that your pot has a very good drainage system, otherwise, the plant will become unhealthy and damaged. 

Summary 

So, you can most definitely grow cilantro indoors. 

As long as you have the right pots, with the right drainage, your cilantro should be quite happy and flourish.

Make sure you get the right amount of sunlight, ensure the soil is moisturized, and that your cilantro has a bit of air, and you will be very happy with your wonderful herb.