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Growing basil and cilantro is totally doable for any home gardener, and you can absolutely grow basil and cilantro successfully with a few simple tricks.
These two herbs are kitchen staples, but they have opposite personalities when it comes to their growing needs.
The secret to learning how to grow basil and cilantro is understanding that one loves the heat while the other craves cooler weather.
Once you get that distinction down, you’ll have a steady supply of fresh herbs for your cooking all season long.
In this post, we’ll break down the best ways to grow basil and cilantro, from planting and watering to harvesting, so you can keep both thriving.
Let’s dig in.
How to Grow Basil and Cilantro: The Basics That Matter Most
When you want to know how to grow basil and cilantro, the first thing to understand is that these two cannot be treated the same way.
Basil is a sun-loving annual that thrives in warm soil and hot summer days.
Cilantro, on the other hand, is a cool-season herb that bolts quickly when temperatures rise above 75°F.
So the best approach to grow basil and cilantro in the same garden is to plan for separate planting times.
This is why many gardeners plant cilantro in early spring or fall, and basil in late spring or early summer.
Basil’s Perfect Growing Conditions
Basil will reward you with massive, fragrant leaves when you give it what it needs.
This herb needs at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
It also wants rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
You can grow basil in the ground, in raised beds, or in containers, which makes it super flexible.
Just make sure the soil stays consistently moist but never soggy.
Mulching around the base helps lock in moisture and keeps the roots cool.
And don’t forget that basil is extremely frost-sensitive, so wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting outside.
Cilantro’s Cool Weather Preference
Cilantro grows best in temperatures between 50°F and 70°F.
This herb actually prefers partial shade in warmer climates, especially during the hottest part of the afternoon.
When grown in the right season, cilantro will produce lush, tender leaves for weeks.
But once the weather heats up, it sends up a flower stalk and goes to seed, which is called bolting.
To extend your harvest, you can keep planting cilantro seeds every two to three weeks.
This succession planting method is a game changer to grow cilantro continuously.
Secrets to Successfully Grow Basil and Cilantro from Seed
Starting from seed is a cost-effective way to grow basil and cilantro, but you need different techniques for each.
Basil seeds germinate quickly and easily, while cilantro seeds need a little more patience and preparation.
Planting Basil Seeds
Basil seeds are tiny, so plant them just a quarter-inch deep in moist seed-starting mix.
They germinate best at soil temperatures around 70°F to 75°F.
Keep the soil evenly moist, and you should see sprouts within five to ten days.
Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to about eight to twelve inches apart.
You can also start basil indoors six weeks before your last frost date for an even earlier harvest.
Harden off the seedlings gradually before transplanting them outside.
Planting Cilantro Seeds
Cilantro seeds, which are actually tiny fruits, benefit from being gently crushed before planting.
Soaking the seeds in water overnight can also speed up germination.
Plant the seeds about a quarter-inch to half-inch deep in the soil.
Space rows about twelve inches apart, and thin seedlings to six inches apart.
Germination takes about seven to fourteen days, so don’t panic if you don’t see anything right away.
Cilantro does not transplant well because of its taproot, so it’s best to sow seeds directly in the garden.
Watering and Feeding Your Herbs for Maximum Growth
To truly succeed in how to grow basil and cilantro, you must master your watering game.
Both herbs need consistent moisture, but basil is a bit more demanding than cilantro.
Watering Basil Without Overdoing It
Basil hates having wet feet, so overwatering is a common mistake.
Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
Drip irrigation or watering at the base of the plant is ideal.
This keeps the leaves dry and helps prevent fungal diseases like downy mildew.
During hot summer months, you may need to water more often, maybe even daily in containers.
A good layer of mulch will help retain that precious soil moisture.
Watering Cilantro to Prevent Bolting
Cilantro needs consistent moisture to stay tender and delay bolting.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
A drop in soil moisture can trigger the plant to flower prematurely.
Watering regularly in the morning gives the leaves time to dry off during the day.
If you’re growing cilantro in a pot, check it daily as containers dry out faster.
Just stay on top of it, and your cilantro will keep producing those flavorful leaves.
Feeding for Healthy Leaf Production
Both basil and cilantro are leafy herbs and appreciate a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
You can mix compost into the soil before planting to give them a great head start.
A balanced liquid fertilizer applied every few weeks works wonders for basil.
For cilantro, avoid heavy feeding as it can reduce the essential oils that give it flavor.
A light feeding at planting time is usually all that cilantro needs.
Remember, too much fertilizer can lead to lush, flavorless leaves.
Harvesting Tips So You Can Grow Basil and Cilantro All Season
The reward of learning how to grow basil and cilantro comes at harvest time.
But how you harvest actually affects future production.
Harvesting Basil for Bushier Growth
Don’t just pluck individual leaves off the top, that’s a rookie mistake.
Start harvesting when the plant has six to eight leaves.
Pinch off the top set of leaves right above a pair of lower leaves.
This encourages the plant to branch out and become bushier.
Regularly pinching off flower buds is critical to keep the leaves flavorful.
If you let basil flower, the leaves turn bitter and the plant stops producing new growth.
Harvesting Cilantro Before It Bolts
Cilantro leaves are best picked before the plant starts to bolt.
Once you see flower stalks forming, the leaf flavor declines quickly.
Harvest outer leaves first, using scissors to snip them off at the base.
This allows the inner leaves to keep growing.
You can harvest the entire plant at once by cutting it about an inch above the soil.
It might regrow for a second harvest if you’re lucky.
The seeds of bolted cilantro are coriander, so even then, you still get a tasty reward.
So, How Do You Grow Basil and Cilantro Successfully?
You can grow basil and cilantro successfully by respecting their different climate needs and providing consistent care.
Basil loves full sun, warm temperatures, and regular pinching to stay productive.
Cilantro prefers cool weather, consistent moisture, and frequent succession sowing to prevent bolting.
By separating their planting times and fine-tuning your watering and harvesting habits, you can grow basil and cilantro like a pro.
So get your seeds started, pick the right spot, and enjoy an incredible, herb-filled garden this season.