Plant Profile
CorianderCoriandrum sativum
Coriander is an essential culinary herb valued for both its fresh leaves and aromatic seeds. While straightforward to grow, it is prone to 'bolting' or premature flowering during hot weather. The best way to ensure a continuous harvest of fresh greens is through successive sowings every three weeks.
Quick profile
Key data
Suitable growing locations:
Indoor & direct sowing
Coriander: Sowing and germination
Pre-culture in pots possible, but direct sowing is preferred due to taproot development.
Successive sowings every 3 weeks for continuous harvest of fresh greens.
Planting & site
Coriander: Planting and spacing
Transplant carefully to avoid damaging the roots.
Site & practical notes
Quick tips: Resow every 3 weeks., Do not transplant as the taproot is sensitive., Seeds only smell pleasant after drying.
Temperature & frost
Coriander: Temperature and site
Water & nutrients
Coriander: Water, nutrients and care
Container & growth
Coriander: Container, support and growth
Year plan
Coriander Calendar
In midsummer, the focus shifts to seed harvesting.
Recurring tasks
Relevant now
June
- No additional single task
Next up
July
- No additional single task
Monthly tasks
Single tasks from monthly data; repeated seasonal windows are shown in the overview above.
January
Quiet month
February
Quiet month
March
No additional single task
April
Direct sowing
- Direct sowingSow in rows, sowing depth approx. 1-2 cm.
May
No additional single task
June
No additional single task
August
No additional single task
September
No additional single task
October
No additional single task
November
Quiet month
December
Quiet month
Flowering & pollination
Coriander Flowering & pollination
Flowering period
June to August
Flower color
White to pale pink
Self-fertility
partially self-fertile
Pollinator needed
yes
Overview
Pollination is primarily carried out by insects such as bees, hoverflies, and beetles.
Notes
Coriander flowers are a valuable food source for beneficial insects in the garden.
Pruning & care
Coriander Pruning & care
Pruning type
continuous_harvest
Pruning timing
Continuous harvest and vitality Regular picking of leaves slightly delays bolting.
Seed collection Cut the entire umbel once seeds are brown and dry.
Remove
Preserve
Avoid
Tools and hygiene
Use clean scissors to avoid crushing soft stems and to prevent bacterial leaf spot.
Companion guide
Coriander Companion guide
Use & storage
Coriander Use & storage
Continuous leaf harvest; seed harvest once they turn brown and dry (usually from August).
Storage
Herb (short-term) / Spice (long-term)
Storage life
Leaves: Days; Seeds: Years
Harvest
Continuous leaf harvest; seed harvest once they turn brown and dry (usually from August).
Processing
After harvest
Use leaves immediately or place in a glass of water. Allow seeds to fully air-dry after harvest.
Edibility & safety
Coriander Edibility & safety
For people
In brief: which parts are edible, which parts remain risky, and whether raw consumption makes sense.
Safety notes
No toxicity known for common consumption. Due to genetics, some people perceive the taste as soapy.
Animal safety
For many animals, this plant is generally low-risk: 11 animal types are rated suitable or mostly suitable. Quantity, plant part, and individual tolerance still matter.
Each row shows which parts are more suitable and which parts are critical.
Companion animals
DogLeaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Leaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Overconsumption may cause gastrointestinal upset
observe
Coriander is safe for dogs in normal amounts and is occasionally used as a treat. Overconsumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. All plant parts are edible and non-toxic.
Open animal page
CatLeaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Leaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Overconsumption may cause gastrointestinal upset
RabbitLeaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Leaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
usually no action needed
Coriander is safe for rabbits and can be fed as part of a balanced diet. All plant parts are edible and nutritious. No known toxicity risks with normal feeding.
Open animal page
Guinea pigLeaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Leaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Overfeeding
usually no action needed
Coriander is safe for guinea pigs in moderation and is often enjoyed as a treat due to its vitamin C content. No known toxic compounds or parts. Overconsumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
Open animal page
HamsterLeaves, Flowers
Seeds in large quantities
Leaves, Flowers
Seeds in large quantities
Overfeeding, Sensitivity to essential oils
Gastrointestinal upset if overconsumed
observe
Coriander leaves and flowers are suitable for hamsters in small amounts as a treat. Seeds contain essential oils that may cause gastrointestinal upset if overconsumed. Do not use as a primary feed.
Open animal page
BudgieNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
unknown
Leaves and flowers are suitable for budgies in moderation. Seeds contain essential oils that may cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed excessively. No indications of severe toxicity from typical leaf feeding.
Open animal pageFarm animals
HorseLeaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Leaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Overconsumption may lead to mild gastrointestinal upset.
usually no action needed
Coriander is generally considered safe for horses when fed in moderation. All parts of the plant are edible and nutritious. Overconsumption should be avoided to prevent gastrointestinal upset.
Open animal page
ChickenLeaves, Flowers
Seeds in large amounts
Leaves, Flowers
Seeds in large amounts
Excessive seed consumption
Gastrointestinal upset with overfeeding
observe
Leaves and flowers are generally safe for chickens as an occasional treat. Seeds contain essential oils and coumarins that may cause gastrointestinal irritation in large amounts. No evidence of severe toxicity in chickens found in literature. As a culinary herb commonly used in human diet, similar safety profile expected for poultry. Feed only fresh, unprocessed plant parts. Avoid access to large quantities of…
Open animal page
DuckLeaves, Flowers
Seeds in large quantities
Leaves, Flowers
Seeds in large quantities
Overfeeding with seeds, Individual sensitivity
Gastrointestinal upset with excessive intake
observe
Coriander leaves and flowers are safe for ducks in moderation and can be offered as a treat. Seeds contain essential oils that may cause gastrointestinal irritation in large quantities. No indications of severe toxicity from usual feeding of green parts.
Open animal page
GooseLeaves, Flowers
Seeds in large quantities
Leaves, Flowers
Seeds in large quantities
Overfeeding with seeds, Individual sensitivity
Gastrointestinal upset with excessive intake
observe
No direct species-specific source was found for geese. This is a cautious inference from the ducks profile and the known plant-part risks.
Open animal page
SheepNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
unknown
Leaves and flowers are suitable for sheep in moderation. Seeds contain essential oils that may cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed in large quantities. No indications of severe toxicity from usual feeding of green parts.
Open animal page
GoatNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
CattleLeaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Leaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Excessive consumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
usually no action needed
Coriander is suitable for cattle as a feed plant. All parts of the plant are edible and non-toxic. Can be fed as part of a varied diet. Excessive consumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset due to high essential oil content, but no actual toxicity risk.
Open animal page
PigLeaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Leaves, Flowers
No risk parts listed
Overconsumption may cause gastrointestinal upset
observe
Coriander is safe for pigs in normal amounts and is occasionally used as a feed additive. Leaves, flowers, and seeds are safe. No known toxic compounds identified for pigs. Overconsumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
Open animal pageThese guidelines are for general information only and do not replace veterinary diagnosis. If critical plant parts were ingested or the animal shows unusual behaviour or symptoms, seek veterinary advice.
Max risk
unknown
Highest status
not established
Urgency
unknown
Saving seed
Coriander Saving seed
Seed viability
2 - 4 years
Isolation
No crossing with other herbs except other coriander varieties.
Practical tips
Coriander Practical tips
Common beginner mistakes
Harvesting leaves too late once the plant has already started bolting.
Success pattern
Regular sowing every 2-3 weeks guarantees fresh greens all summer.
High-impact tips
Mulching keeps the soil cool and delays flower formation.
Grower observations
In cool summers, the leafy greens remain harvestable for much longer.
Plant Profile
Additional plant images
Health
Pests, Diseases
Pests
Aphids
Curled leaves, sticky honeydew.
Carrot rust fly
Stunted growth, larval tunnels in roots.
Diseases
Powdery mildew
White, powdery coating on leaves and stems.
Bacterial leaf spot
Water-soaked, dark spots on leaves.
Deficiencies
Nitrogen deficiency
Pale green to yellowish discoloration of older leaves.
Plant health
Diagnosis help
Coriander Diagnosis help
Pest groups
Disease groups
Prevention
Diagnosis
In case of wilting, first check soil moisture and roots for pest infestation.
Cultural prevention
Monitoring
First response
Diagnostic rules
Leaves turn yellow and plant immediately forms flower stalks.
Possible causes: Drought stress, Hitzestress
- Check soil moisture
- Monitor site temperature
FAQ
Why does coriander taste like soap to some people?
This is due to a genetic variation (OR6A2 gene) that causes aldehydes in coriander to be perceived as soapy.
Is Coriander safe for Dog?
Coriander is classified as suitable for Dog. Risk: unknown. Urgency: observe. Coriander is safe for dogs in normal amounts and is occasionally used as a treat. Overconsumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. All plant parts are edible and non-toxic.
Is Coriander safe for Cat?
Coriander is classified as moderation only for Cat. Risk: unknown. Urgency: usually no action needed. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Is Coriander safe for Rabbit?
Coriander is classified as moderation only for Rabbit. Risk: unknown. Urgency: usually no action needed. Coriander is safe for rabbits and can be fed as part of a balanced diet. All plant parts are edible and nutritious. No known toxicity risks with normal feeding.
Is Coriander safe for Guinea pig?
Coriander is classified as moderation only for Guinea pig. Risk: unknown. Urgency: usually no action needed. Coriander is safe for guinea pigs in moderation and is often enjoyed as a treat due to its vitamin C content. No known toxic compounds or parts. Overconsumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
Guides
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Internal links
Related plants
Sources
Public sources
- Wikidata entity
Wikidata · 2026-05-13
- GBIF species match
GBIF · 2026-05-13
- Deutschsprachige Wikipedia: Echter Koriander
Wikipedia · 2026-05-13
- English Wikipedia: Coriander
Wikipedia · 2026-05-13