What Plants Does Cilantro Grow Well Next To?

Anise

• Anise (Pimpinella anisum), an annual, grows about 24 inches tall, requiring about 10 inches of space between plants. Both anise and cilantro prefer growing from seed in their final growing space and do not transplant well. If you plant the seeds of these two plants near one another at the same time, the seeds will germinate and appear above ground more quickly. Both of these plants grow well in full sun and in moist, organic soil.

Dill

• Dill (Anethum graveolons), another annual herb, can grow 3 to 5 feet tall, and requires 3 to 12 inches of spacing, depending how large you let it grow. This herb, like cilantro and anise, prefers direct seeding. Cilantro doesn't often mind the overpowering nature of the dill, because in addition to growing in full sun, it will tolerate partial shade without a problem. Both of these plants provide shelter and food for beneficial insects, such as ladybird beetles and predatory mites, that feed on vegetable pests in the garden. If allowed to flower, the plants also attract pollinators, leading to a more bountiful harvest.

Caraway

• Caraway (Carum carvi) most often grows as a biennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 7, although some varieties are annuals. It also prefers direct seeding, and can reach up to 24 inches tall at maturity. It grows well near cilantro, attracting even more beneficial insects -- specifically, beneficial wasps -- to take care of the pests in your garden.

Chervil

• If you want plant cilantro in a partially shaded area, the annual herb chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) will work better as a companion plant than both anise and caraway, which prefer full sun. Chervil can grow more than 2 feet tall; it cannot tolerate transplanting because its seedlings are delicate. It thrives when seeded next to cilantro in an area with moist, organic soil and protection from the hot afternoon sun.