Coriander is one of the easiest herbs to grow at home. You do not need a large garden or expensive equipment. A pot, good soil, and a handful of seeds are enough to get started.
Gardening content creator Deepu, who shares gardening tips on Instagram as @_gardening.with.deepu, has shared an effortless method for growing coriander at home. His process begins with preparing the seeds and ends with fresh coriander leaves in about 35 days.
Prepare the seeds
Coriander seeds have a hard outer covering. Deepu suggests lightly crushing the seeds so that they split into two halves. Do not crush them completely. The aim is to separate the two parts of each seed.
Place the split seeds in water and leave them to soak for 24 hours. This prepares them for sowing.
Make the soil mix
The right growing medium is important for coriander. Deepu uses a simple mixture made from three ingredients:
- 40 percent garden soil
- 30 percent cocopeat
- 30 percent compost
He also adds a handful of neem powder and one spoon of Trichoderma to the mixture. Mix everything properly so that the ingredients are spread evenly through the soil.
Sow the seeds
Fill a pot or container with the prepared soil mix. Spread the soaked coriander seeds across the surface rather than putting them deep into the soil. Once the seeds are in place, cover them with a thin layer of cocopeat.
Water the pot gently. The soil should remain moist, but it should not become soggy. Make sure the container has drainage holes so excess water can escape.
After 10 days
Around the tenth day, small green shoots should begin to appear.
Keep the soil lightly moist and place the pot where the plants receive good sunlight. At this stage, the seedlings are still delicate, so avoid disturbing the soil around them.
After 30 days
By the 30th day, the plants should have grown into leafy coriander plants.
Continue checking the soil regularly and water when needed. Good sunlight and proper drainage will help the plants develop healthy foliage.
After 35 days
Around the 35th day, the coriander should be ready to harvest, depending on the growing conditions.
You can cut the leaves and stems you need while leaving the rest of the plant in the pot. This allows you to use fresh coriander over several meals rather than harvesting everything at once.
Deepu’s coriander growing method starts by splitting and soaking the seeds. Photograph: (Wikimedia Commons)
Grow it again
Once you have harvested your coriander, you can start another batch using the same method. With a little space and regular care, a few pots can provide a steady supply of fresh leaves for your kitchen.
Deepu’s method keeps the process simple, from splitting and soaking the seeds to preparing the soil and harvesting the leaves. If you have been meaning to start a kitchen garden, coriander is a good place to begin.
