Part of my garden is shady, while the remaining portion receives full sun. I have been thinking of putting the shaded part of the garden into use by planting something that can thrive well. Besides sage, another herb that came into my mind is Coriander. After conducting thorough research to determine if it can succeed in shady areas, here are my findings.
So, can Coriander grow in the Shade? Yes! Also known as Cilantro, Coriander can grow in the shade. It is popularly known to be used in culinary as its leaves and spicy seed add flavor to food and contain many health benefits. However, it will not thrive well in full shade as it prefers little Shade, fertile and well-drained soil.
Unlike Basil, the perfect time to plant Coriander is in the cooler months of the year. The sweet scent and flavor make it a favorite for most gardeners. Typically, it is an annual plant that grows well in warm areas with proper humidity.
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Varieties of Coriander
Coriander is a unique plant that requires total care and attention. Growing Coriander will not confine you to one type as it contains a lot of varieties. The varieties of Coriander include:
Calypso
Calypso is the first variety of Coriander. It is popularly known to grow and produce complete plants that don’t bolt easily.
Leisure
This is a standard variety of Coriander that attracts beneficial insects.
Cruiser
Cruiser is a variety of Coriander with large leaves and entire stems that face the upright direction when growing.
Santa
Santa is a slow bolting variety of Coriander that inhibits bushy leaves.
Confetti
It is popularly known for being a highly ornamental herb with fine leaves and resembles a fern plant.
How to Grow Coriander in Partial Shade
Coriander is an annual herb. Its green flowers and aroma make it a unique plant to be used as a spice and herb. It can be grown in the house or outdoors, depending on your preference. Here’s how to grow Coriander in your garden.
- Coriander needs darkness or partial light to germinate.
- Cover the seeds with1/2 or ¼ inch of soil to prevent excess light.
- Sow new needs once or twice a month to encourage continuous harvest.
- Pick few leaves every time it grows to encourage the growth of new leaves.
Coriander’s Growth Requirements
Coriander is one of the fastest Shade-growing herbs. However, it requires various things to thrive. Among the requirements includes; soil, water, sunlight, and site.
Site Requirement
Topping the list of Coriander’s growth requirements is the location. It plays a vital role since it’s the exact place where the herb will thrive or die. Coriander grows well in pots and garden beds. After selecting a site, ensure that it receives partial Shade, sun, and well-drained soils.
Moreover, make sure that the site has adequate space. This is because some varieties are bushy and might need sufficient space. If you are planting corianders with other plants such as beans, ensure that it is not far apart as it is a perfect companion for herbs.
Sunlight Requirements
Coriander is an attractive plant that fills the air with a lovely scent and gives your food a nice flavor. Most people assume that coriander requires adequate sunlight for it to mature. To add, it requires bright indirect light. If you have planted in pots, ensure that they face the window to receive maximum sunlight; if it’s in the garden, plant in partial Shade to receive a spot of afternoon shade. As much as you plant Coriander under partial Shade, ensure that it gets partial light to enhance growth.
Water Requirements
The third most crucial growth requirement for Coriander is water. It plays a significant role in the growth stages of this plant. As said earlier, Coriander does well in beddings and pots, therefore ensuring that they receive enough water. In cooler months, water them twice a week if there’s no rain.
On top of that, measure a standard amount of water for the ones planted in pots. Still, in water, one thing to note is moisture amounts during winter. This season is known for having a lot of cold and watery environments. During this period, Coriander won’t need water as it can die due to weakness.
Fertilizer Requirements
Coriander is a herb that can make you get high yields in the presence of fertilizer. Fertilizer is only required to boost growth and get rid of pests and diseases. Use liquid fertilizer or supplement the soil with controlled-release pellets. If your Coriander is organic, use organic fertilizer or fortified soil with compost. As long as fertilizer is used correctly, the herb will thrive well.
Soil Requirements
Another essential requirement for Coriander is soil. Coriander does well in well-prepared, moist soils. If the herb is in the garden, add mulch to enhance visibility. On the flip side, if the plant is in a pot or container, use a premium potting mix and not garden soil because it is heavy. When sowing outside or compost, moist, but be careful not to overwater because excess water may encourage rotting.
Temperature Requirement
The last but not the least essential requirement is temperature. As much as it is easy o grow as an annual plant, it does not thrive in all climates. Coriander is a cool-season climate that thrives well in temperatures ranging from 50-85 degrees. Flowering will be more when the temperature exceeds 75 degrees. If you have planted the herbs in pots, ensure that the temperature is around 70 degrees. On top of that, you need to watch the amount of water given to the plant. Make sure that the temperature doesn’t exceed 85 degrees because it will start to bolt.
What does coriander need to survive?
- Keep the soil or compost moist because it might get to the seed if allowed to dry out.
- If you are going to report, do it once to avoid bolting.
- Pick already grown leaves to encourage more growth.
- Plant the seeds about two inches apart.
- Use an ordinary potting mix if you are planting in pots.
Pruning Coriander
Coriander is an annual plant. As much as it requires good conditions to thrive skillfully, pruning is also necessary. As the plants grow, prune them by about one inch to encourage fuller plants. To extend your harvest, prune soft stems while rotating the plant to promote equal growth.
How Do You Harvest Coriander So it Keeps Growing?
Coriander leaves grow for a maximum of three to four weeks. Therefore, they are ready to harvest when the plant is 3 to 4 inches tall. Moreover, you can start to gather when the leaves are bright green. To harvest Coriander, follow the following steps:
- Cut the leaves at the bottom of the plant.
- Harvest up to one-third of the plant to prevent the weakening of the plant.
- If you are harvesting the seeds, clip the seed heads and put them in a paperback.
- Leave them for a few days to dry.
- Collect the dried seeds and put them in a suitable storage bag.
What Are the Benefits Of Coriander Plant?
Coriander has a variety of uses, starting from the kitchen to health. In addition, it is used to add flavor to different cuisines, such as mashed potatoes. Some of the benefits include:
- It helps in lowering blood sugar by promoting enzyme activity that reduces sugar from the blood.
- Use for culinary purposes.
- It boosts the heart’s brain’s health.
- It promotes digestion and gut health.
- Protects the skin and fights infection.
What Pests Eat Coriander?
The wonderful spice and herb can thrive well in good conditions. However, it requires a lot of care because pests and diseases can attack the plant. The better part is that these pests and diseases can be managed easily. Some of the common garden pests and diseases are as follows:
- Aphids.
- Armyworms.
- Cutworms.
- Root-knot nematodes
- Bacterial leaf spot.
- Soft rot.
- Carrot motley dwarf.
- Powdery mildew.
- Damping-off.
If you notice these pests and diseases, prune out infected plants to improve the air space. Furthermore, you can solarize the soil and apply insecticides and fertilizer properly.
Final Verdict
Coriander is an excellent herb to plant in your garden. It will not only add flavor and spice your food but also help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Above all, the most important thing is following the tips mentioned above to help your herb thrive well.
Giving your herb the proper growth requirements such as adequate sunlight, well-drained soils, water, and the right temperature will make you get better yields. Make sure to take care of your Coriander. In the end, you’ll be able to prepare spicy food and maintain a healthy diet.