Cilantro Container Soil Mix
Coriandrum sativum
Light, fast-draining mix for cilantro — bolts in heat, hates wet feet, resents transplanting (direct-sow only).
- Container:
- 6-8" deep minimum (taproot); direct-sow into final pot
- pH:
- 6.2–6.8
- EC:
- 1–1.8 mS/cm
- Light:
- Full sun; PM/afternoon shade in heat
Components
Percentages by volume. Quantities scaled for a 2-gallon container (US units).
| Component | % | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Quality potting mix Base structure, initial nutrients | 45% | 3.5 qt |
| Coco coir (low-EC, buffered) CEC, moisture buffering | 20% | 1.5 qt |
| Perlite Drainage, aeration
Alternates: Pumice | 20% | 1.5 qt |
| Aged compost Microbial diversity | 15% | 1 qt |
Per-container amendments
Scaled linearly to your container size. Apply at transplant or as side-dress per the notes on each line.
- Balanced organic fertilizer (4-4-4 / 5-5-5) Go light on nitrogen — too much weakens flavor.2–4 tbsp
- Mycorrhizae inoculant Optional.2 tbsp
Growing notes
- Direct-sow — the taproot resents transplanting.
- Bolts (goes to seed) fast in heat or when rootbound.
- Succession-sow every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply.
- Afternoon shade in heat delays bolting.
- Let some plants bolt for bonus coriander seed.
- Don't overfeed; excess nitrogen weakens flavor.
Want to scale this to a different container size, save it to a plot plant, or track applied dates? Open it in the interactive calculator.
References
- Herb container guides: moisture-retentive, fertile mix; aggressive spreader best contained — University extension (multiple)
- Cilantro bolts in heat; provide afternoon shade and direct-sow — Texas A&M AgriLife