Where does cilantro grow best?

How do you grow and care for fresh cilantro?

• Mine always dies.

• Answer:

  Cilantro can be actually very difficult to grow, so don't get discouraged. Cilantro needs bright, full sunlight. Cilantro is related to parsley and carrots, but from my experience it actually needs a sunnier location than either other plant (Parsley can grow in a half shaded location), and it is less tolerant of wet soil and extreme temperatures. Cilantro also needs cool temperatures, but it can't tolerate frost. In hot climates it does best in the spring or fall. Plant it as soon as the danger of frost is past and continue planting it as you gather it, until it no longer thrives (it usually won't grow well during the middle of the summer in many areas). You want to keep the roots shaded--planting it close together can do this. The other issue is well-drained soil. Cilantro grows well in dry climates. Wet weather and soggy soil will kill it. (This is one reason it's eaten a lot in Mexico). In short, Cilantro is kind of picky. It is native to the Mediterranian where the conditions are dry and sunny, but temperatures are moderate. If you have the right conditions it will do very well but from my experience it is hard to get the exact right conditions, especially in most climate zones in America (which tend to be too wet, and have too widely varying temperatures). Good luck--I've included a few web references for further information.