Everything You Need to Know About Coriander Seed — Care, Propagation & More
Your complete Filipino gardener’s guide to growing Buto ng Wansoy for spice and leaf — from seed to kitchen.
What Can You Eat?
Discover the edible parts and how Filipinos enjoy this plant in everyday cooking.
Coriander seeds are ground and used as a key spice in Filipino curry, adobo seasoning blends, and pickling mixes. The leaves (cilantro/wansoy) are a fresh garnish for soups, lumpia, and Thai-Filipino fusion dishes. Seeds are also toasted whole for added crunch in spice rubs.
Wansoy (cilantro/coriander) is essential in Filipino-Chinese and Filipino-Indian cuisine. The seeds are widely used in Zamboanga and Mindanao cooking where curry traditions are strong. Growing your own ensures a fresh supply of both the leaf herb and the dried spice seed.
Germination Guide
From seed to sprout — here’s what to expect and how to get started.
Planting Instructions
Everything you need to prepare — soil, spacing, depth, and the best Philippine planting months.
Propagation Methods
Learn the best ways to multiply your plants — from seeds to cuttings.
Care Guide
Keep your plant happy and thriving with the right light, water, and nutrients.
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours); afternoon shade in summer helps prevent bolting
Regular; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged
Light compost at planting; diluted fish emulsion every 2-3 weeks for leaf growth
18-28°C (bolts in heat above 30°C)
50-70%
Mulch to keep roots cool. Avoid moving or disturbing roots — coriander has a sensitive taproot.
Harvest Guide
Know when and how to harvest for the best yield and flavor.
For seeds: seed heads turn from green to tan/brown and dry on the plant. Seeds rattle in the husks when shaken. For leaves: harvest outer leaves once plant is 10-15 cm tall.
For seeds: cut entire seed heads when brown, hang upside-down in a paper bag to catch falling seeds as they dry. For leaves: snip outer stems, leaving the center to keep growing. Dry seeds store for 2+ years in airtight jars.
Common Problems & Solutions
Spot issues early and fix them fast.
Bolting too fast (flowers before leaf harvest)
Cause: Heat stress or long day length; coriander is a cool-season herb
Solution: Plant during cool months (Oct-Feb). Provide afternoon shade. Use slow-bolt varieties. For seed harvest, bolting is desirable.
Seeds fail to germinate
Cause: Hard seed coat prevents water absorption; old seeds
Solution: Gently crush seeds to split husks before sowing. Soak 12-24 hours. Use fresh seeds less than 2 years old.
Aphids on flower heads
Cause: Aphids attracted to tender flower shoots
Solution: Blast off with water spray. Apply neem oil or soapy water. Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Powdery mildew on leaves
Cause: High humidity with poor air circulation
Solution: Space plants adequately. Avoid overhead watering. Spray baking soda solution (1 tsp per liter water) weekly.
Perfect Plant Partners
Plants that grow well together.
