Coriander is a highly fragrant herb, grown for its seeds and leaves. Its seeds, known on coriander are used in Indian cooking for flavor and aroma. Its leaves, also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley is used raw in soups, curries, salads and salsas and in all types of Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Latin American dishes for flavor and garnishing. Although they are from the same plant, the flavors of the leaves and seeds are very different and they cannot be substitutes for each other.

Coriander grows to a height of 1- 3 feet with a spread of about 8-10 inches with small pinkish white flowers.

How to grow
Coriander should preferably be grown directly from seeds as it is very sensitive and transplanting may not work. It is available year round. Plant in mild dry weather in March, April or May in well-drained soil enriched with compost, aged manure, or other organic materials. It can be easily grown in pots and is perfect to be kept in windowsills near kitchen for frequent use. It has a long tap root, so needs a container that is at least 8” deep. Coriander needs ample water and good sun, so plant it at the sunniest spot available. Mulch can also be used to retain moisture after the soil has warmed. It is quite prone to root diseases, so choose a healthy variety and do crop rotation to get healthy plants. Weeds are another problem we have to deal with, so frequent weeding is essential.

Harvesting
Begin using the leaves as soon as the plant is large enough to spare some. Collect from the tops of the branches, cutting off several inches. You should harvest it frequently for leaves, else it will go to seed very soon. If you are interested in getting seeds, leave the plant and soon it will go to seeds, which then can be dried and used.

Uses
This widely used herb enhances the flavor of almost any dish. Try it in stir-fries or in vegetable casserole dishes.
It is also very useful in appetite stimulation and helps in secretion of digestive juices. It is rich in vitamin C and is also believed to contain antibacterial properties.