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Cilantro is one of those herbs that looks easy on paper but frustrates a lot of indoor gardeners. It grows fast outdoors, but inside it often gets leggy, collapses after a few weeks, or bolts (flowers) before you ever get a decent harvest. I ran into all these issues in my own apartment gardens north windows, east windows, grow lights, kitchen counters and learned that cilantro behaves very differently indoors.
The truth: cilantro can grow indoors year‑round, but only if you set it up correctly from the start. Once you give it the right soil depth, steady light, and regular reseeding schedule, it becomes one of the most dependable herbs for indoor kitchens.
Here’s a practical, experience-tested guide that works for beginners and small-space gardeners.
Why Cilantro Is Tricky Indoors (and Why This Method Works)
Cilantro has a few natural growth habits that cause trouble indoors:
- It has a long taproot and hates shallow pots
- It prefers cool temperatures and bolts quickly when warm
- Indoor light is much weaker than outdoor sun
- It grows as a short-lived herb one planting doesn’t last long
Instead of fighting these traits, this method works with them:
- Use deep pots so roots don’t get cramped
- Keep it cool and bright to delay bolting
- Grow from seed (cilantro hates transplanting)
- Reseed every 2–3 weeks for continuous, year‑round harvests
This is the only setup that has consistently produced strong, leafy cilantro for me indoors.
What You’ll Need
- Deep pot (6–8 inches minimum) with drainage holes
- Quality potting soil (light, loose, not heavy garden soil)
- Fresh cilantro seeds (also called coriander seeds)
- Grow light or a bright window (east-facing works best)
- Small watering can or spray bottle
- Organic fertilizer (mild, balanced liquid feed)
Budget-friendly options:
- Use recycled food containers with holes punched in the bottom
- Mix compost + coco coir + perlite as a low-cost potting mix
- Split coriander seeds from your kitchen spice jar (crush lightly to separate the halves)
How to Grow Cilantro Indoors Year‑Round:
1. Choose a Deep Container
Cilantro develops a surprisingly long taproot. Shallow pots = stunted plants that bolt early.
Ideal pot:
- 6–8 inches deep
- 8–12 inches wide
- Excellent drainage
If you’ve been growing cilantro in a tiny herb pot this alone will change everything.
2. Prepare the Soil
Cilantro prefers loose, airy soil that drains well.
Best indoor mix:
- 50% potting soil
- 25% compost
- 25% perlite or coarse sand
Soil should feel fluffy. Compacted soil causes weak growth.
3. Sow Seeds Generously
Cilantro grows best when sown thickly. Don’t plant just a few seeds.
Steps:
- Lightly crush the coriander seeds to split them (each pod has two seeds).
- Sprinkle evenly across the soil surface.
- Cover with 1/4 inch of soil.
- Mist gently so you don’t displace the seeds.
Germination usually takes 5–10 days indoors.
4. Give Cilantro Proper Light
This is where most indoor cilantro fails. It needs strong, consistent light.
Best options:
- East-facing window: reliable morning sun
- South-facing window: filtered mid-day sun
- LED grow light: 12–14 hours daily
If your stems grow thin and stretch toward the window, you need more light.
Indoor observation: Whenever my cilantro leans more than 15–20 degrees toward the window, I move it closer or add a grow light.
5. Keep It Cool (Cilantro Bolts in Heat)
Cilantro thrives at:
- 60–70°F daytime
- Cooler nights are ideal
Avoid:
- Warm kitchens near ovens
- Spots above heaters or radiators
- West windows that overheat in the afternoon
Cilantro that stays cool stays leafy.
6. Water Correctly
Cilantro likes consistent moisture but not soggy soil.
Water when:
- The top 1 inch feels dry
- Leaves begin to droop slightly
- Soil looks lighter in color
Use bottom watering occasionally to avoid fungus on stems.
7. Begin Harvesting Early (This Helps Prevent Bolting)
Start snipping at 4–6 inches tall.
Best method:
- Cut no more than one-third of the plant at a time
- Always take outer, older stems first
- Let the center keep growing
Frequent harvesting encourages fresh, leafy growth.
8. Reseed Every 2–3 Weeks for Year‑Round Supply
Cilantro naturally has a short life cycle. Indoors, one planting lasts 4–6 weeks before getting thin or trying to flower.
To maintain constant harvests:
- Start a new pot every 2–3 weeks
- Let older pots grow out and collect seeds if you want
This is the secret behind “year-round cilantro” indoors.
Pro Tips & Best Practices
- Rotate pots weekly for even growth.
- Use a small fan for 10 minutes a day to strengthen stems and prevent fungus.
- Use a shallow tray to sow backup seeds so you always have young plants ready.
- Don’t overfertilize too much nitrogen makes cilantro taste weak.
- If stems droop in warm weather, mist lightly in the evening.
Beginner mistake to avoid: Transplanting cilantro starts. Cilantro hates root disturbance and sulks in small pots.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does my indoor cilantro get tall and leggy? Insufficient light. Move it closer to a window or use a grow light.
2. How often should I water cilantro indoors? Usually every 3–5 days, but always check soil first. Overwatering leads to root rot.
3. Can cilantro grow indoors without a grow light? Yes, but only in a bright east or south window. Dim rooms won’t work.
4. Why does my cilantro bolt so quickly indoors? Heat or small pots are the main cause. Keep it cool and use deeper containers.
5. Can I grow cilantro from store-bought coriander seeds? Yes crush them lightly to separate the halves and sow them normally.
6. How long does indoor cilantro last? Each planting gives 4–6 weeks of good harvest, which is why reseeding is essential.
When NOT to Grow Cilantro Indoors Year‑Round
You may struggle if:
- Your home stays above 75°F consistently
- You only have low-light windows
- You’re using tiny herb pots
- You don’t want to reseed regularly
If light is the issue, a small $10 grow light solves most problems.
Alternative Methods
Hydroponic or Kratky Cilantro Pros: Fast, clean, consistent Cons: Can bolt quickly if water gets warm
Grow lights + deep pots Pros: Perfect year‑round setup Cons: Requires a small upfront investment
Outdoor-to-indoor rotation Pros: Strong plants Cons: Only possible in mild climates
For most home gardeners, the deep-pot + reseeding method is simplest and most reliable.
Conclusion
Learning how to grow cilantro indoors year‑round comes down to understanding the plant’s natural habits deep roots, cool temperatures, strong light, and short life cycles. When you give it what it truly needs, cilantro becomes one of the easiest herbs to keep in constant rotation.
Set up a deep pot, place it in bright light, water consistently, and reseed every few weeks. With this rhythm, you’ll never be without fresh cilantro for cooking again.
Happy growing and enjoy those steady, year-round harvests!