Planting coriander: Instructions for the garden and balcony

Coriander can be planted both on the balcony and in the garden. It tastes great in curry, salsa and other dishes

How to plant coriander

The coriander plant will survive both on the balcony and in the garden if you look after it properly and take the light conditions into account. There are also other factors to consider.

• Coriander can withstand the occasional light frost. You can therefore start sowing outdoors as early as April, or in June at the latest.
• Alternatively, you can also grow the seedlings in pots on the windowsill in seedling pots and then plant them outdoors in May. In this case, you should mix some sand into the soil

• If you have decided to sow in the open ground, you should loosen the soil well beforehand. Also refrain from fertilizing the soil immediately beforehand.

• Sow the coriander seeds 20 cm apart in the soil and cover them loosely with soil. The distance prevents the occasional mildew from spreading quickly.

• In the initial phase, you should keep the coriander slightly moist at all times by watering it regularly. Once fully grown, however, the plant prefers drier conditions

• For the same reason, a well-functioning drainage system should also be ensured when growing in a pot to prevent waterlogging.

• Fertilizing is generally not necessary for coriander. However, it is advisable to regularly remove weeds and loosen the soil around the plant.

• After four to six weeks, when the seeds are light brown, you can start harvesting them and use them in numerous dishes after drying.

• The leaves, on the other hand, are ready to harvest at any time. Make sure you only ever remove the lower leaves so as not to restrict growth.

What you need to know about the plant

Coriander is one of those plants that is also suitable for beginners in  gardening. However, there are a few things you need to know about it.

• First of all, it is important to note that coriander is an annual plant. This means that it only survives for one year and must be reseeded every year if necessary

• The plant requires a sunny to semi-sunny location and a rather dry, calcareous soil.

• Coriander is also a plant that requires a relatively high level of nutrients.

• It does not take up much space. It usually reaches a height of up to 100 cm, but more often 40 cm. The plant can grow up to 30 cm in width

• You can harvest both the seeds, which can be processed into a spice, and the leaves.

• In the garden, coriander is particularly suitable for mixed cultivation, for example next to lettuce, as coriander attracts many beneficial insects, but also repels pests.