How Deep of a Pot Should You Use for Cilantro?

Choosing a Container

• Cilantro is a cool weather crop with a 10-inch tap root. For this reason, the pot should be at least 10 inches deep with another 2 inches to spare, so the roots will not clog the drainage holes. A container can be made of any material as long as it is waterproof, has strong sides to support wet potting soil and has several drainage holes in the bottom. Drainage holes located along the bottom side of the container are less likely to get clogged than ones located on the bottom.

Growing Media

• Any quality potting soil is acceptable for growing cilantro. The main requirement is that the potting soil be well-draining. New potting soil or potting soil from a closed container is always better because it was not exposed to insects or disease pathogens. Garden soil always carries the risk of insect or diseases, so avoid using garden soil in containers.

Planting Cilantro

• Plant cilantro seed in the pot where it will be grown to maturity and receives at least four hours of sunlight each day. Because of the sensitive tap root, cilantro does not always survive the transplanting process. If buying nursery plants, look for plants that are small, stocky and healthy rather than older plants. Avoid leggy plants that have flower buds because these are mature plants. Use caution when transplanting to avoid damaging the roots. Cilantro grows best when spaced 4 or more inches apart.

Water and Fertilization

• Cilantro prefers slightly moist, well-drained, cool soil. Too much water causes the leaves to turn yellow and may cause the plant to die. Once the plants are actively growing, water by completely soaking the pot when the top inch of soil in the pot is dry to the touch.

  Fertilize by adding a granular time-released fertilizer for flowering plants when adding the potting soil or by applying a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength every 10 days to the soil around the plants. Do not allow fertilizers to contact the leaves you will be harvesting.

Harvesting

• Harvest cilantro leaves a few at a time by pinching them off the plant as needed. Early morning is the best time to harvest the leaves because they are fully hydrated. After the plant flowers, the seeds can be harvested from the dried brown seed pods. If harvesting for seeds, allow the seed pods to completely dry so the seeds will not taste bitter.