How do I get my cilantro plant to stay bushy? It is growing really tall and getting spindly leaves and flowering. I prefer the lower, larger leaves for cooking. And I use cilantro a LOT because I love it so! Is there a way to keep the plant low and bushy instead of tall and leggy?
Keep it pinched back at the top even if you aren't going to use what you pinch off. This works for most kinds of plants, keeping the top growth pinched back promotes bushiness.
If it is already flowering it is too late. Cilantro is very short lived and pinching back the tops doesnt really help. It will bolt (flower and get very thick stems) when the soil temp gets over 75. The best thing with cilantro is to plant it where it only gets morning or evening sun but not all day sun. You can also "sucession" plant. When your first sprouts start coming up plant a few more seeds and repeat. Cilantro really dislikes hot weather and is really considered a spring and fall crop.
BUT - you can let the flowers go to seed and you have what is called "Coriander"! You can use the seeds in many recipes. It will also reseed itself and you will get new plants growing in the fall.
I would suggest planting it in a big pot you can put out in the AM to get some sun and bring it back it when it starts to get really hot! BTW - I'll be in Lovingston the last week of June!
Cilantro question
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 5:30:00 PM
