Leisure Cilantro

Leisure Cilantro is a vibrant, herbaceous plant known for its fresh, aromatic leaves and flavorful seeds. Leisure is high yielding, has uniform growth habit, is heat tolerant and slow to bolt, ready for harvest in 28-40 days. Its light, feathery green foliage is perfect for enhancing any herb garden or container planting. This cilantro variety is prized for its ability to thrive in cooler weather, making it an ideal choice for early spring or fall harvests. Offering a balance of spice and citrusy undertones, Leisure Cilantro is perfect for a variety of culinary uses, from fresh salsas and guacamole to soups, curries, and salads. Its fast-growing nature means you'll have fresh, flavorful leaves to add to your meals in no time. As a versatile herb, Leisure Cilantro can also be used as a natural pest repellent in the garden, keeping unwanted insects at bay. It’s a must-have for any garden or kitchen.

Also Known As: Coriander, Fresh Cilantro, Chinese Parsley, Mexican Parsley, Dhaniya, Koriander, Cilantro Leaf, Green Cilantro, Garden Cilantro, Culinary Cilantro.

Plant Name:	Cilantro, Leisure
Latin Name:	Coriandrum sativum
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	55
Plant Height:	1 - 2 Feet
Spread:	12 - 18 inches
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	2-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Cilantro grows best in cool weather. Plant Cilantro in the spring when the soil temperature is at least 55F, about 2-4 weeks after the last frost in spring. Transplanting Cilantro is not recommended as plants can bolt easily. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 6-8 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1/2 inch deep and spaced 6 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. If you want a continuous supply of cilantro throughout the fall, you can sow seeds every 2-3 weeks.

Planting Depth:	1/2 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	6 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig to deeply to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Cilantro does not require frequent fertilization. If leaves are smaller than expected, you may optionally apply a light dressing of a complete fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Harvest cilantro when the leaves are young and tender, usually around 3-4 weeks after planting, when the plant reaches about 4-6 inches tall. To harvest, use sharp scissors or shears to snip the outer leaves, leaving the inner ones to continue growing. It's best to harvest in the morning for the best flavor. Pick the leaves regularly to encourage new growth and delay bolting (flowering and going to seed), which makes the leaves more bitter. Avoid harvesting too much at once—take no more than one-third of the plant at a time. Once the plant starts to flower, you can let it go to seed for coriander or stop harvesting the leaves.