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Yes, you can grow cilantro from packaged coriander seeds.
Those little seeds in your spice rack are actually the same seeds you’d buy from a garden center.
With proper planting and a bit of patience, packaged coriander seeds can sprout into fresh, leafy cilantro.
In this post, we’ll look at why this works, the simple steps to grow cilantro from packaged coriander seeds, and what you need to watch out for.
Let’s dig in.
Why You Can Grow Cilantro From Packaged Coriander Seeds
You can grow cilantro from packaged coriander seeds because coriander and cilantro are the same plant.
Here’s why those supermarket seeds are perfectly capable of sprouting:
1. Coriander Seeds Are Cilantro Seeds
Cilantro is the Spanish name for the leaves, while coriander refers to the seeds of the same plant, *Coriandrum sativum*.
The seeds sold in spice aisles for cooking are exactly what you’d plant to grow cilantro.
There’s no genetic difference or special processing that makes them a different product.
2. Most Packaged Seeds Are Still Viable
Packaged coriander seeds, especially whole ones, often remain viable for a year or more.
Dried seeds are essentially dormant until they get moisture.
As long as they haven’t been toasted, crushed, or chemically treated, they can still germinate.
3. Whole Seeds Work Better Than Ground
Whole coriander seeds are the ones you want for planting.
Ground coriander powder has been milled and processed, so the seed embryos are destroyed and won’t sprout.
If you’ve got a jar of whole coriander seeds in your spice cabinet, you’re in business.
4. The Spice Trade Doesn’t Kill the Embryo
The drying and packaging process for culinary seeds doesn’t usually involve heat that would kill the embryo.
So the seeds you shake onto your curry tonight can be tucked into soil tomorrow.
That said, germination rates can be a little lower than fresh garden seeds, so plant more than you think you need.
How to Grow Cilantro From Packaged Coriander Seeds
Growing cilantro from packaged coriander seeds is surprisingly simple, but a few tricks will boost your success rate.
1. Crush the Seeds Gently
Coriander seeds have a tough outer hull.
Gently pressing each seed with the back of a spoon or rolling them with a rolling pin helps split the hull so water can reach the embryo.
Don’t pulverize them into dust — just crack them slightly.
2. Soak Overnight
Soak your coriander seeds in a bowl of room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours before planting.
This softens the hull and kickstarts the germination process.
Just drain them well before you put them in the soil.
3. Plant in Well-Draining Soil
Cilantro hates soggy roots.
Use a light, well-draining potting mix or loose garden soil.
Plant seeds about a quarter inch deep and space them an inch or two apart.
4. Keep Soil Moist but Not Wet
Water gently after planting and keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings pop up.
A spray bottle works great for this because it won’t wash the seeds away.
Germination usually takes seven to ten days.
5. Give Them Cool Weather
Cilantro grows best in cooler temperatures, around 50 to 70°F.
In hot climates it bolts quickly, so plant in spring or fall.
Partial shade in the afternoon helps in warmer zones.
Common Problems When Growing Cilantro From Packaged Coriander Seeds
Even though you can grow cilantro from packaged coriander seeds, a few issues can trip you up.
1. Low Germination Rates
Seeds from the spice rack are older than fresh garden seeds, so germination can be spotty.
Plant two or three times as many seeds as you would with a fresh packet.
2. Seeds That Were Toasted or Treated
Some packaged coriander seeds are toasted for extra flavor.
Those won’t sprout because high heat kills the embryo.
Look for raw, whole coriander seeds rather than roasted ones.
3. Bolting in the Heat
Cilantro is a cool-season herb.
Once temperatures climb above 80°F, it sends up a flower stalk and the leaves turn bitter.
Succession planting every few weeks keeps you in fresh cilantro longer.
4. Damping Off
Too much moisture and poor airflow can cause seedlings to rot at the base.
Use clean potting mix and water from the bottom when possible.
Thin seedlings so air moves between them.
So, Can You Grow Cilantro From Packaged Coriander Seeds?
You can grow cilantro from packaged coriander seeds, provided the seeds are whole, raw, and still viable.
They’re the same plant, so those spice-jar seeds will sprout into fresh cilantro with a little care.
Crack the hulls, soak overnight, plant in well-draining soil, and keep them cool.
Plant extra seeds to account for lower germination, and watch for bolting in hot weather.
With these steps, your spice rack can become a free seed source for a steady supply of homegrown cilantro.