Cilantro Live Plant – 7″ Height – 3.5″ Pot – Culinary Herb

Overview

Bring the vibrant, fresh taste of the garden directly to your kitchen with this healthy cilantro live plant. Known scientifically as Coriandrum sativum, cilantro is a popular annual herb cherished for its bright, citrusy, and slightly peppery flavor. This particular plant stands approximately 7 inches tall and comes nestled in a convenient 3.5-inch pot, making it an ideal size for immediate enjoyment or transplanting. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to elevate your dishes, having fresh cilantro readily available is a game-changer. This easy-to-grow herb is perfect for adding a distinctive touch to salsas, guacamole, curries, and countless other recipes. Cultivating your own fresh cilantro herb ensures you have access to the highest quality, most flavorful leaves whenever inspiration strikes.

Growing your own herbs is a rewarding experience, and cilantro is no exception. This vigorous plant will quickly establish itself, providing a continuous supply of aromatic leaves. It’s an excellent choice for container gardening, raised beds, or even as part of a larger herb garden. The compact size of this cilantro live plant means it can comfortably fit on a sunny windowsill, a patio, or a balcony, bringing both beauty and utility to your space. Experience the satisfaction of harvesting your own herbs and savoring the unparalleled freshness that homegrown produce offers.

Key Benefits

Having a cilantro live plant at your fingertips offers numerous advantages, enhancing both your culinary adventures and your gardening experience. This versatile herb is a must-have for any home cook.

• Fresh, Authentic Flavor: Enjoy the crisp, pungent, and unique taste of freshly picked cilantro that store-bought versions simply can’t match. Elevate your tacos, soups, and salads with genuine garden-fresh flavor.
• Convenient Culinary Access: No more last-minute runs to the grocery store! Your cilantro live plant provides an immediate supply of leaves for all your cooking needs, whenever you want them.
• Easy to Grow: This herb is known for being relatively straightforward to cultivate, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Follow simple care instructions for a bountiful harvest.
• Versatile Use: Beyond its leaves, cilantro seeds (coriander) are also used in cooking. While this plant is primarily for its leaves, successful growth can lead to seed production.
• Attractive Green Foliage: The delicate, fern-like leaves of the fresh cilantro herb add a touch of natural beauty to any kitchen, patio, or garden space, making it both functional and decorative.
• Healthy Addition: Cilantro is packed with vitamins K and C, as well as antioxidants, contributing to a healthier diet.
• Pest Deterrent: Some gardeners use cilantro as a companion plant, believing its strong aroma can help deter certain garden pests, promoting a healthier overall garden ecosystem.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper care is essential for a thriving cilantro live plant. This herb prefers cooler temperatures and can bolt (go to seed) quickly in hot weather, so understanding its needs is key to a continuous harvest. For optimal growth, choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates or during the peak of summer, partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day, will help prevent bolting. Aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. The plant is adaptable to a range of light conditions, but too much intense afternoon sun can stress it.

Watering is crucial for maintaining a healthy growing cilantro plant. The soil should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged. Check the soil moisture regularly; water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. In a 3.5-inch pot, this might mean watering 3-4 times a week, especially during warmer periods. Ensure your pot has good drainage holes to prevent root rot. Cilantro thrives in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A standard potting mix amended with compost works well. While typically grown as an annual, understanding its temperature preferences is vital. Cilantro prefers temperatures between 50-75°F (10-24°C). It is suitable for USDA Zones 8-11, where it can often be grown outdoors for extended periods. In colder zones, it is best grown as an annual or brought indoors when temperatures drop.

Fertilization is generally not heavily required for cilantro, especially if planted in rich soil. However, a light feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks can encourage robust growth, particularly if you are regularly harvesting. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, as this can lead to lush foliage but premature bolting. Watch out for common pests like aphids, which can be managed with organic insecticidal soap. Regular harvesting of the outer leaves will also encourage bushier growth and delay bolting, extending the life of your cilantro plant care efforts.

Size & Details

This cilantro live plant arrives as a vibrant specimen, standing at an approximate height of 7 inches from the soil line. It is securely rooted in a 3.5-inch nursery pot, providing a healthy start for its journey to your home. The plant’s foliage is lush and green, ready for immediate harvesting. Cilantro is a fast-growing herb, and with proper care, you can expect to begin harvesting leaves within a few weeks of receiving your plant. While this plant is primarily grown for its leaves, if allowed to mature, it will produce delicate white flowers followed by seeds, known as coriander. Its compact size makes it suitable for various growing environments.

The typical spread of a mature cilantro plant can range from 6 to 12 inches, depending on growing conditions and pot size. This particular plant is carefully selected to ensure a robust root system and healthy top growth, providing you with a strong foundation for successful cultivation. It ships as a living plant, carefully packaged to ensure its safe arrival. The 3.5-inch pot is a perfect starter size, allowing you to either keep it as a kitchen counter herb or transplant it into a larger container or garden bed as it grows. Expect a steady supply of delicious fresh cilantro herb with consistent care.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This cilantro live plant typically arrives at about 7 inches tall. With proper care, it can grow to a mature height of 12-24 inches and spread 6-12 inches, depending on conditions and container size.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: Your cilantro plant will arrive in a 3.5-inch diameter nursery pot, which is a great size for initial growth and can be kept in this pot or transplanted.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Cilantro can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives outdoors in cooler weather, but can also be successfully grown indoors on a sunny windowsill, making it a versatile culinary herb plant.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For best results, your growing cilantro plant needs at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. In very hot climates, partial afternoon shade is beneficial to prevent bolting.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, cilantro is considered an easy-to-care-for herb, suitable for beginners. Consistent watering and adequate sunlight are the main requirements for successful cilantro plant care.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive as a healthy, live specimen, carefully packaged to ensure it reaches you in excellent condition, ready to be placed in its new home.
• Q: Is it shipped in soil? A: Yes, the cilantro live plant will be shipped rooted in its 3.5-inch pot with appropriate soil, ensuring it stays hydrated and healthy during transit.
• Q: Can I use this cilantro in cooking right away? A: Absolutely! Once settled, you can begin harvesting the outer leaves of your fresh cilantro herb to use in your favorite recipes immediately.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: Cilantro can be planted in spring for a summer harvest, or in late summer/early fall for a fall/winter harvest in mild climates. Indoors, it can be planted year-round.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Cilantro is generally an annual. It thrives in USDA Zones 8-11 during cooler months, but in colder zones, it will die back with the first hard frost and should be replanted or brought indoors.