How To Take Care Of Cilantro Seedlings

Taking care of cilantro seedlings is easier than most people think once you know what they actually need.

 

The truth is, cilantro seedlings are a bit fussy in the beginning, but if you give them the right conditions early on, they grow fast and strong.

 

Whether you started your cilantro seedlings indoors or bought a small tray from a nursery, the care routine is pretty much the same.

 

In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to take care of cilantro seedlings, from watering and lighting to thinning and feeding, so your cilantro seedlings thrive instead of bolt or flop over.

 

Let’s dig in.

 

How to Take Care of Cilantro Seedlings

When you’re taking care of cilantro seedlings, the goal is simple: keep them cool, moist, and unstressed.

 

Cilantro seedlings hate heat, they hate drying out, and they hate being crowded.

 

Get those three things right, and caring for cilantro seedlings becomes almost effortless.

 

1. Give Cilantro Seedlings Plenty of Light But Not Too Much Heat

Cilantro seedlings need about 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, or 10 to 12 hours under a grow light.

 

But here’s the catch: cilantro seedlings don’t like intense heat, so if you live somewhere hot, give them morning sun and afternoon shade.

 

If your cilantro seedlings are indoors, place them near a south-facing window, or keep the grow light a few inches above the leaves.

 

When cilantro seedlings stretch and get leggy, that’s a sign they need more light, so move them closer to the source.

 

2. Water Cilantro Seedlings Consistently

When you’re taking care of cilantro seedlings, watering is where most people mess up.

 

Cilantro seedlings have shallow roots, so they dry out fast, but soggy soil will rot them just as quickly.

 

The trick is to keep the soil evenly moist, like a wrung-out sponge, not soaking wet.

 

Check the top inch of soil with your finger, and water your cilantro seedlings whenever it feels dry to the touch.

 

Water at the base of the plant, not over the leaves, since wet foliage invites fungal problems on cilantro seedlings.

 

3. Thin Your Cilantro Seedlings Early

This is the step most gardeners skip, and it’s why their cilantro seedlings end up weak and spindly.

 

Cilantro seeds often sprout in clusters, so once your cilantro seedlings have two true leaves, thin them to about 2 to 3 inches apart.

 

Yes, it feels brutal to pull out healthy-looking cilantro seedlings, but the ones you leave behind will grow much stronger.

 

If you hate wasting them, snip the extra cilantro seedlings at soil level and toss them into a salad.

 

4. Keep Cilantro Seedlings Cool

Cilantro seedlings bolt, meaning they shoot up and flower, when the temperature climbs above 75°F.

 

So when you’re taking care of cilantro seedlings, keep them in the coolest spot in your garden or home.

 

Mulching around cilantro seedlings helps keep the soil cool and holds in moisture.

 

If a heat wave is coming, move potted cilantro seedlings into the shade or indoors until things cool down.

 

5. Feed Cilantro Seedlings Lightly

Cilantro seedlings don’t need much fertilizer, and too much nitrogen makes them leafy but weak.

 

Once your cilantro seedlings have a few sets of true leaves, feed them with a diluted liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks.

 

That’s really all the feeding cilantro seedlings need to stay green and healthy.

 

Common Problems When Caring for Cilantro Seedlings

Even with good care, cilantro seedlings can run into a few issues, so here’s what to watch for.

 

1. Leggy Cilantro Seedlings

If your cilantro seedlings look tall, thin, and pale, they’re not getting enough light.

 

Move them somewhere brighter, and rotate the tray so all your cilantro seedlings grow evenly.

 

2. Yellowing Leaves

Yellow leaves on cilantro seedlings usually mean overwatering or poor drainage.

 

Let the soil dry out a bit, and make sure your pots have holes at the bottom.

 

3. Bolting

If your cilantro seedlings suddenly shoot upward with lacy flowers, they’ve bolted from heat or stress.

 

You can still eat the leaves, but the flavor turns bitter once cilantro seedlings start flowering.

 

4. Damping Off

This is a fungal issue that makes cilantro seedlings collapse at the soil line.

 

Good airflow and careful watering are your best defense against damping off in cilantro seedlings.

 

So, How Do You Take Care of Cilantro Seedlings?

Taking care of cilantro seedlings comes down to cool temperatures, consistent moisture, bright light, and early thinning.

 

Give your cilantro seedlings those four things, and they’ll reward you with fresh, fragrant leaves for weeks.

 

So hopefully this guide on how to take care of cilantro seedlings helps you grow a healthy, happy crop.