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Coriander growing

Photo: Unsplash

Half-hardy — needs some protection

When to plant
coriander in the UK

Bolts at the slightest excuse. Sow every 3-4 weeks, pick frequently, and choose slow-bolt varieties. It's a race you can win if you stay on top of it.

6wto harvest
15cmspacing
8°Cmin soil temp
half-hardyhardiness
Plan it for your plot

Work out your own dates

Starts from the recommended sow date for your area. Sowed on a different day, or planted out late? Adjust below and the harvest moves with it.

Using the UK-average last frost · 15 April · add your postcode to tune it

Sow15 April
Harvest from27 May

Growing journey

Last frost
Sow indoors4w before frost
Direct sowLast frost
Harvest6w after frost

6 weeks from sowing to harvest

Get coriander seeds

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What coriander need

Partial shade in summer. Moist soil. Grows well in pots on a windowsill.

Spacing

15cm

15cm between plants · 20cm between rows

Space evenly in rows. Thin seedlings early to avoid crowding.

the varieties

Varieties worth growing

Leisure

common

Bred to be slow to bolt, which is everything in a coriander — most kinds see one warm day and shoot for the sky. Leisure holds on, giving you weeks of usable leaf instead. A patient, generous thing.

in the kitchen

Coriander chutney

Blitz a big bunch with green chilli, garlic, ginger, lime juice, a pinch of sugar and a splash of water. Serve with anything — samosas, grilled chicken, rice. The green sauce you always wish there were more of.

Calypso

uncommon

Even slower to bolt than Leisure, with larger, milder leaves. If you've given up on coriander because it always ran to seed before you could use it, this is the one that may win you back.

in the kitchen

Guacamole

Mash ripe avocado with a fork (not a blender — keep it chunky), fold in finely chopped coriander, diced red onion, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. The fresh coriander makes all the difference between good and great.

Finely cut, feathery leaves, something between coriander and dill to look at. The flavour is softer and less divisive — even those who usually find coriander soapy often take to Confetti. A gentle, peace-making herb.

in the kitchen

Thai-style coriander salad

Toss the feathery leaves with shredded green papaya, peanuts, dried shrimp, lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar. The delicate leaves wilt less than broad-leaf varieties and look beautiful scattered over the top.

When to sow coriander

Sow indoorsMarchApril
Direct sowAprilMay

Based on UK average frost date. Enter your postcode for exact dates, or find your city.

Seeds

Where to buy coriander seeds

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Get your exact dates

Enter your postcode for personalised planting dates for coriander.

Keep exploring

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