Will Cilantro Grow Inside In The Winter

Cilantro will grow inside in the winter, and it’s actually one of the easier herbs to keep going on a sunny windowsill.
 
If you’ve been wondering “will cilantro grow inside in the winter,” the short answer is yes, as long as you give it enough light and keep it from getting too warm.
 
Cilantro doesn’t mind cooler indoor temperatures, and in many homes, winter is actually a better time to grow cilantro inside than summer because the plant bolts in heat.
 
The trick is understanding what cilantro needs and avoiding a few common mistakes that trip people up.
 
In this post, we’ll cover whether cilantro will grow inside in the winter, how to set it up for success, and how to keep harvesting fresh leaves for months.
 

Will Cilantro Grow Inside in the Winter? Here’s Why It Can

Cilantro will grow inside in the winter because it’s a cool-season herb that actually prefers the milder temperatures of a typical home.
 
Here’s why growing cilantro indoors in winter works so well:
 

1. Cilantro Loves Cool Temperatures

Cilantro thrives between 50°F and 70°F, which is right in the range of most indoor spaces.
 
That means when you grow cilantro inside in the winter, you’re giving it conditions it genuinely enjoys.
 
In fact, cilantro grown inside in winter often outlasts cilantro grown outdoors in summer, because heat is what makes it bolt.
 

2. A Sunny Windowsill Provides Enough Light

Cilantro needs about 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day to grow well indoors.
 
A south-facing window is ideal, but an east or west window can work too if you rotate the pot.
 
When cilantro will grow inside in the winter, the shorter daylight hours are the main challenge, so a grow light can really help.
 
A simple LED grow light for 12 to 14 hours a day will keep your cilantro growing inside through the darkest weeks of winter.
 

3. Indoor Air Is Usually Humid Enough

Cilantro isn’t fussy about humidity, and typical indoor air sits around 40 to 50 percent, which is fine.
 
If your home gets very dry in winter, set the pot on a tray of pebbles with water to raise humidity slightly.
 
Just don’t mist the leaves too often, since wet foliage can invite mildew when you grow cilantro inside in the winter.
 

How to Grow Cilantro Inside in the Winter

Getting cilantro to grow inside in the winter comes down to a few simple steps.
 
Here’s how to set it up:
 

1. Start With the Right Pot and Soil

Choose a pot at least 8 inches deep with drainage holes, since cilantro has a long taproot.
 
Use a light, well-draining potting mix, and never garden soil, which compacts indoors.
 
Fill the pot, sow seeds about a quarter inch deep, and keep the soil moist until they sprout.
 

2. Sow Seeds Every Few Weeks

Cilantro is a fast grower, but it also finishes quickly, so succession sowing keeps you in leaves.
 
Plant a new pot every two to three weeks, and you’ll have a steady supply while your cilantro continues to grow inside in the winter.
 
This is the single best trick for anyone who wants cilantro growing inside all winter long.
 

3. Water Carefully and Feed Lightly

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and never let the pot sit in standing water.
 
Overwatering is the number one killer of cilantro grown inside in the winter.
 
Feed with a diluted liquid fertilizer every three to four weeks, but go easy, since too much nitrogen makes cilantro leafy but weak.
 

Common Problems When Cilantro Grows Inside in Winter

Even when cilantro will grow inside in the winter, a few issues can pop up.
 
Here’s what to watch for:
 

1. Leggy, Stretched Stems

If your cilantro grows tall and thin with pale leaves, it’s not getting enough light.
 
Move it closer to the window or add a grow light, since cilantro growing inside in winter needs strong light to stay compact.
 

2. Bolting and Flowering

Cilantro bolts when it’s stressed, and indoor heat or dry soil can trigger it.
 
Keep the plant cool, water consistently, and pinch off any flower buds the moment they appear.
 
If a plant does bolt, you can still let it flower, since the seeds, called coriander, are edible too.
 

3. Fungus Gnats and Damping Off

Wet soil invites fungus gnats and damping off, especially in winter when airflow is low.
 
Let the soil dry slightly between waterings, and run a small fan nearby to keep air moving around your cilantro.
 

So, Will Cilantro Grow Inside in the Winter?

Cilantro will grow inside in the winter, and with the right light, cool temperatures, and careful watering, it can thrive all season long.
 
The key is giving cilantro growing inside in winter enough sunlight, sowing new seeds every few weeks, and avoiding soggy soil.
 
If you do those things, you’ll be snipping fresh cilantro from your windowsill while the snow falls outside.
 
So go ahead and start a pot today, because cilantro will grow inside in the winter more easily than you might think.