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Cilantro does not need to be in soil to grow.
That’s right, you can absolutely grow cilantro without soil, and it can thrive just as well in a hydroponic setup or even a simple glass of water on your kitchen counter.
If you’ve been wondering whether cilantro needs to be in soil to grow, the short answer is no, and the longer answer is that cilantro is actually one of the easier herbs to grow without any dirt at all.
The key is giving the roots something to hold onto and delivering the right nutrients directly to them.
In this post, we’ll cover why cilantro doesn’t need soil to grow, the best ways to grow it without soil, and the common mistakes to avoid so your cilantro thrives.
Let’s dig in (pun intended).
Why Cilantro Doesn’t Need Soil to Grow
Cilantro doesn’t need soil to grow because soil is really just a support system and a nutrient delivery method.
When you remove soil from the equation, you simply need to replace those two functions with something else.
Here’s why cilantro can grow perfectly well without it:
1. Roots Only Need Support and Oxygen
The roots of cilantro need something to anchor them and keep them stable.
In soil, that’s dirt particles.
In a hydroponic system or a jar of water, that support comes from clay pebbles, rockwool, or even just the water itself.
As long as the roots get oxygen and aren’t completely suffocated, cilantro will keep growing.
2. Nutrients Can Be Delivered Directly
Plants don’t actually need soil to get nutrients.
They need nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and a handful of micronutrients, all of which can be dissolved in water.
That’s the entire principle behind hydroponics.
When you grow cilantro without soil, you simply mix a water-soluble fertilizer into the water and the roots absorb everything directly.
3. Cilantro Has Shallow, Adaptable Roots
Cilantro doesn’t have deep, sprawling roots like a tomato plant.
Its root system is shallow and fibrous, which makes it a great candidate for growing without soil.
Those fine roots adapt quickly to water-based environments, which is why cilantro grows so well in jars, kratky setups, and other hydroponic systems.
Best Ways to Grow Cilantro Without Soil
How do you actually grow cilantro without soil?
The good news is that you have several options, and most of them are beginner-friendly.
Here are the best methods:
1. A Simple Jar of Water
The easiest way to grow cilantro without soil is to stick cuttings in a glass of water.
Take a stem with a few leaves, remove the lower leaves so no foliage sits below the water line, and place it in a jar.
Change the water every couple of days and within a week or two you’ll see new roots forming.
This method won’t produce a huge harvest, but it keeps fresh cilantro coming for weeks.
2. Hydroponic Kratky Method
The Kratky method is a passive hydroponic system that requires no pumps or electricity.
You place your cilantro in a net pot filled with clay pebbles, set it in a container of nutrient water, and let the roots dangle down as the water level slowly drops.
This creates an air gap that gives the roots oxygen while the lower roots stay hydrated.
Cilantro loves this setup because it mimics the moisture balance it gets in soil.
3. Coco Coir or Rockwool
If you want something that feels a little more like traditional gardening, use coco coir or rockwool as your growing medium.
These materials hold moisture and give the roots something to grip, but they aren’t soil.
You’ll still need to feed with a nutrient solution, but this is a great middle ground if water-only setups feel too risky.
Common Mistakes When Growing Cilantro Without Soil
Growing cilantro without soil is simple, but a few common mistakes can trip you up.
Avoid these and your cilantro will thrive:
1. Forgetting to Add Nutrients
This is the number one mistake.
In soil, cilantro pulls nutrients from the dirt.
In water, there’s nothing there unless you put it there.
Use a balanced hydroponic nutrient solution and follow the dosing instructions.
2. Letting the Water Go Stagnant
Still water invites algae and root rot.
If you’re using the jar method, change the water every two to three days.
If you’re using a hydroponic system, make sure there’s some movement or an air gap so the roots get oxygen.
3. Skipping Good Lighting
Cilantro needs at least four to six hours of bright light a day.
A sunny windowsill works, but if you’re growing indoors year-round, a small grow light makes a huge difference.
Without enough light, cilantro grows leggy and weak.
4. Harvesting Too Aggressively
When you grow cilantro without soil, the plant has less reserve energy than one growing in a garden bed.
Snip only what you need from the outer stems and let the center keep growing.
So, Does Cilantro Need to Be in Soil to Grow?
Cilantro does not need to be in soil to grow, and it can thrive in water, hydroponic systems, or soilless mediums like coco coir.
The key is giving the roots support, oxygen, and a steady supply of nutrients.
Whether you go with a simple jar on the counter or a full hydroponic setup, cilantro will reward you with fresh, flavorful leaves.
So the next time you’re wondering if cilantro needs to be in soil to grow, you’ll know the answer is a confident no.