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Cilantro Bolting Prevention and Care

easyGardening30 min

Tools Needed

Garden shears — Sharp bypass pruners or scissors
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Pot — 8-inch diameter for single plant or 12-inch for group of three
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Materials

Cilantro seeds — Slow Bolt or Calypso variety(1 packet)
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Potting mix — Standard high-quality potting soil(As needed)
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Steps

1
Prepare the planting site by choosing a location with partial sun. To prevent heat-induced bolting, protect the plant from mid-afternoon heat (approximately 12 PM to 3 PM) by placing it in a shaded area or on the east side of a raised bed.
Morning Sun Bed Wall Shade Area Place in shade Position plant east of a barrier to block harsh afternoon sun
2
Direct sow the seeds into the soil to avoid disturbing the sensitive taproot, which can stall growth. Plant seeds approximately 1/4 inch deep, placing two seeds per hole.
Drop seeds two per hole 1/4" depth Direct sow Cross-section · Sowing directly prevents taproot damage
3
Maintain a consistent watering schedule to keep the soil evenly moist. For indoor pots, check every 2-3 days by sticking a finger into the soil; water when the soil is dry at the first knuckle depth.
4
Monitor environmental temperatures. Cilantro is a cool-season herb that grows best between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures consistently above 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit will trigger the plant to bolt.
5
Harvest leaves aggressively to prevent the plant from reaching the flowering stage. Use a 'cut and come again' technique by taking the most mature outer leaves, or use a 'lawnmower technique' to clip the top of the clump without cutting too low.
Outer leaves Potting mix Garden shears Snip outer mature leaves Harvest mature outer foliage to delay flowering and bolting
6
If a flowering stem appears, immediately snip it off at the base. While this will not stop the bolting process permanently, it can prolong leafy growth for about a week.
Flower stem Garden shears Leafy canopy Snip at base Remove flowering stems immediately to prolong leaf production

Pro Tips

  • Practice succession sowing by planting new seeds every 2 to 3 weeks to ensure a continuous harvest before plants bolt.
  • Choose the 'Slow Bolt' variety of seeds to naturally mitigate the plant's tendency to flower prematurely.
  • If the plant bolts, you can still harvest the resulting seeds as coriander for use as a spice.

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