Countertop Harvest
By the Countertop Harvest team · Last updated
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Full disclosure below.
Can you grow cilantro indoors?
Yes, though it's fussier than basil or mint. Cilantro is a cool-season annual that naturally runs to flower and seed (bolts) quickly, especially in heat and long days (Oregon State Extension). Indoors you control two of the triggers, temperature and watering, so a cool, bright windowsill works well. Wisconsin Extension notes it can be grown successfully in containers. The trick is to treat it as a crop you resow, not a plant you keep for months.
Indoor cilantro at a glance
| Need | What extension sources say |
|---|---|
| Pot | Sow directly; it does not transplant well because of its long taproot (Wisconsin, Illinois). Drainage holes are a must. |
| Soil | Well-drained soilless mix; Maryland suggests 2 parts mix to 1 part perlite. |
| Sowing | ¼–½ inch deep; germinates best at 55–68°F (SARE, Oregon State). |
| Light | A sunny window with at least 5 hours of sun, or grow lights 14–16 hours a day in winter (Maryland). |
| Temperature | Cool. Bolts when temperatures exceed 85°F (SARE). |
| Water | Evenly moist; dry soil and irregular watering cause early bolting (UC Master Gardeners). |
| Harvest | From about 6 inches tall (Illinois); leaves can be harvested in 45–80 days (Wisconsin). |
| Resow | Every 2–3 weeks (Wisconsin) to every 3–4 weeks (Illinois). |
How to grow cilantro indoors, step by step
- Use a deep pot and sow where it will grow. Cilantro has a long taproot and does not transplant well (Wisconsin, Illinois Extension), so sow seed directly into its final pot. Use a pot with drainage holes.
- Fill with a well-drained mix. University of Maryland suggests two parts soilless potting mix to one part perlite for indoor herbs.
- Sow ¼–½ inch deep. Cover seed with ¼ to ½ inch of mix (UC Master Gardeners, Wisconsin) and keep it evenly moist. Seed germinates best at 55–68°F (SARE, Oregon State).
- Thin seedlings. Once seedlings are up, thin them to about 3–4 inches apart (UC Master Gardeners).
- Give it bright light and keep it cool. Most herbs need a sunny window with at least five hours of sun, or grow lights 14–16 hours a day in winter (Maryland). Keep cilantro away from heat vents: it bolts when temperatures exceed 85°F (SARE).
- Water evenly. Irregular watering and dry soil make cilantro bolt before it produces many leaves (UC Master Gardeners).
- Harvest at about 6 inches, and resow. Cut leaves or whole stems once plants reach about six inches (Illinois). Sow a new pot every 2–3 weeks for a steady supply (Wisconsin).
Why does indoor cilantro bolt?
Bolting is cilantro switching from leaves to flowers. Oregon State Extension says both temperature and day length drive it: in warm weather the plant finishes its life cycle faster, while cool, short days keep it leafy for weeks or months. Indoors, the usual culprits are a hot sunny sill in summer, a spot near a heat vent, or soil that dries out between waterings. You'll see it coming when the plant grows a tall central stalk with fine, feathery leaves. Pinch flower buds if you see them (UC Master Gardeners), but expect the plant to wind down; that's the signal to rely on your next pot.
Pick a slow-bolting variety
Illinois Extension lists varieties bred to hold their leaves longer: 'Santo' (slow bolting), 'Leisure' (heat tolerant and slow to bolt), 'Marino' (slow to bolt), and 'Pot Cilantro 99057', developed for growing in containers. Seed packets labelled "slow bolt" are the ones to look for.
Light: window or grow light?
A bright south or west window works from fall to spring. In winter, Maryland Extension says herbs need grow lights for 14–16 hours a day to make up for short days. If you add a light, a cool LED is a good match because it adds little heat. Our grow light buying guide compares bars, strips and bulbs, and how much light herbs need covers hours and distance.
Smart garden with built-in light
e.g. Click & Grow Smart Garden 3
- 3 smart-soil pods, no pump
- 8W light on a 16h on / 8h off timer
- Click & Grow sells cilantro pods; check current availability
Countertop hydroponic garden
AeroGarden or LetPot
- Light and timer handled for you
- Taller plants need more light height
- Compare them in LetPot vs AeroGarden
Harvesting cilantro
Start cutting when plants are about six inches tall (Illinois). Snip the outer stems near the base and leave the centre to keep growing, or cut the whole plant when the pot is ready to replace. Store cut stems unwashed in the fridge in an airtight bag, or stand them in water under a loose bag and change the water every 2–3 days (UC Master Gardeners).
Common indoor cilantro problems
- Tall stalk and feathery leaves: bolting. Cool the spot, water evenly and resow.
- Seedlings collapse after moving: transplant shock; sow directly next time.
- Thin, pale, leaning growth: not enough light.
- Yellow leaves with soggy soil: overwatering or poor drainage.
Building a herb shelf? See the best herbs to grow indoors for beginners, plus basil and mint guides.
Sources
- Wisconsin Horticulture: Cilantro / Coriander
- Illinois Extension: Cilantro
- Oregon State Extension: How to grow cilantro
- UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County: Cilantro and coriander
- SARE: Cilantro
- University of Maryland Extension: Growing herbs indoors
Frequently asked questions
Is cilantro hard to grow indoors?
It's a little harder than basil or mint because it bolts quickly in heat and long days. Keep it cool, bright and evenly watered, and sow a new pot every 2–3 weeks.
Can I transplant grocery-store cilantro?
Cilantro has a long taproot and does not transplant well, so extension services recommend sowing seed directly where it will grow.
Why is my indoor cilantro bolting?
Heat, long days and dry soil trigger bolting. SARE notes cilantro bolts when temperatures exceed 85°F, and UC Master Gardeners say irregular watering causes early bolting.
How long until I can harvest cilantro?
Illinois Extension says you can start cutting at about six inches tall; Wisconsin Extension puts leaf harvest at 45–80 days.
What is the best cilantro variety for pots?
Illinois Extension lists 'Pot Cilantro 99057', developed for containers, plus slow-bolting 'Santo', 'Leisure' and 'Marino'.