How to Grow Cilantro Indoors

How to Grow Cilantro Indoor

Want fresh, fragrant cilantro at your fingertips? Growing cilantro indoors is surprisingly easy and rewarding. With just a few everyday items and a bit of patience, you’ll have homegrown herbs sprouting in no time. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started—from prepping the seeds to your first harvest.

What do we need?

1/3 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 small Ziploc bag
1 rolling pin
1 pot (at least 8” deep and 8” wide)
1 saucer tray (10 inches)
Indoor potting mix
1 spray bottle

Step 1: Prepare the Seeds

Place the coriander seeds in a small Ziploc bag to keep them contained.

Use a rolling pin to gently crush the seeds in half. Each husk contains two seeds inside. (You can also leave them whole if preferred.)

Transfer the seeds to a bowl and soak them in water overnight to encourage germination.

Step 2: Prepare the Pot

Use a pot that is at least 8 inches deep and has a drainage hole at the bottom.

Fill the pot with indoor potting mix. Cilantro prefers moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.

Spread the soaked seeds evenly across the surface, leaving small gaps between them.

Lightly cover the seeds with about 1/4 inch of potting mix.

Step 3: Germinate and Care

Mist the surface with water using a spray bottle. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Place the pot in a shaded area with temperatures between 65°F and 75°F to encourage germination.

Mist daily to maintain moisture.

Step 4: Growth Timeline & Harvest

Day 4: A few sprouts begin to emerge. (Cilantro grows best in temperatures between 50°F and 72°F. In hotter climates (above 75°F), it may bolt early.)

Day 5: First green leaves appear—very exciting!

Day 6: More green leaves appear. At this stage, move the pot to a location that receives about 6 hours of sunlight daily, but provide shade during the hottest part of the day.

Week 2: You may thin out weaker seedlings if needed, though I like to let them grow naturally. If it becomes too crowded, you can harvest a few early.

Days 21–45: You can begin harvesting once the plants are about 6 inches tall.