How to Grow Cilantro Without It Bolting
Bolting is an inevitable process for many plants, including herbs and vegetables. Bolting is a process by which plants produce flowers but stop leaf growth. For annual plants, this process indicates the end of the plant’s life. Regardless of the cause, the process is costly for the plant. Once the leaves die, the plant is no longer viable.
When to plant Cilantro:
If you want to grow cilantro without bolting, you should plant it early in the cool season, and wait until the danger of frost has passed. In colder climates, you may want to start the seeds indoors, which gives the plants more time to grow. You should also remember that cilantro bolts faster when it is directly seeded than if it is purchased as seedlings.
Cilantro Plants for Ornamentation:
Bolting occurs when cilantro leaves turn bitter. However, the leaves are still edible. The flowers of cilantro are lacy white and make nice fillers or ornamental plants. Moreover, they attract pollinating insects. Once the flowers have ripened, cilantro plants produce small round seeds. The seeds can be dried or stored indoors for later use.
Importance of watering to Cilantro:
The plant needs regular watering to stay alive. If left untended, cilantro can become dehydrated. It prefers a humidity level of about 40 percent. Because cilantro is a short-lived plant, it must be taken care of to keep it healthy. If not taken care of, cilantro will produce seeds and eventually die off.
Effects of Temperature of Cilantro plant:
Cilantro plants are a cool-weather crop and will bolt if temperatures get too hot. This is a natural process and will not kill the plant, but will cause it to lose its flavor. The leaves of cilantro become bitter and can’t be consumed when they bolt. If you want to grow cilantro, however, you should plant it early in the spring.
Soil condition for healthy Cilantro growth:
The key to cilantro growing success is to make sure the soil stays cool and moist. Using mulch in your garden will help trap moisture and keep the soil cool. Ideally, cilantro plants should receive one inch of water per week, but may need more water in dry climates or sandier soil. If you want to prolong the life of your plants, you can buy slow-bolting or long-standing varieties.
Harvesting leaves to keep cilantro growing:
Another way to prolong cilantro’s growth is to harvest the leaves frequently. Harvesting cilantro leaves regularly keeps the plants fresh and keeps them from bolting. If you harvest cilantro leaves frequently, make sure you cut the larger leaves to avoid bolting. This method also promotes the development of new side shoots. Sow cilantro seeds at least twice a year in a warm climate.