Coriandrum sativum Coriander (Umbelliferae)

Browse Plants Articles

Power Search!

Browse Botanic Names

Sponsored By KhorWills

Coriandrum sativum
Coriander
(1 Page of 5)

The Coriandrum sativum plant species is found in S. Europe. Naturalized in Britain[17]. It is a member of the Umbelliferae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Coriander.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Coriandrum sativum
Common Name:  Coriander
Family:  Umbelliferae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The plant can have a narcotic effect if it is eaten in very large quantities[201].

Mature Height:  0.45   Mature Width:  0.25

Habitat:  Waste places and arable land, often by the sides of rivers[4, 9].

Cultivation Notes: Prefers a warm dry light soil[4, 27, 37]. Plants grown mainly for their seeds do well in partial shade, but when growing for the seed or essential oil a sunny position is preferred[238]. The plants dislike constant moisture[14] or too much nitrogen[200]. Another report says that coriander grows best when a cool damp spring is followed by a hot dry summer[238]. Coriander tends to run quickly to seed if the plants are too dry at the seedling stage[238]. Plants tolerate a pH in the range 4.9 to 8.3. Coriander is often cultivated, both on a garden scale and commercially, for its edible seed[4, 142], there are some named varieties[183]. The plant is fast-growing, ripening its seed without difficulty in Britain and it seems to be free of pests and diseases[234]. The seeds have been used medicinally and as a food flavouring since ancient times, and were introduced into Britain by the Romans[244]. In the Middle Ages they were added to love potions because of their reputation as aphrodisiacs[244]. The plants flowers are very attractive to pollinating insects[14, 18, 201]. Coriander is in general a good companion plant in the garden, helping to repel aphis and carrot root fly[238]. It grows well with anise, improving the germination rate when the two species are sown together[14, 18, 20, 238], but it grows badly with fennel, where it acts to reduce the seed yield of the fennel[14, 18, 20, 201, 238]. Coriander also grows particularly well with dill and chervil[201].

For further Coriandrum sativum gardening information
click on one of the blue links below

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
View their bibliography
Useful Edible Plants Future