Why is my Cilantro Plant Turning Red?

If your cilantro plant turning red means there is some problem with your plant, you need to take action for this. The cilantro plant thrives well in organic soil, Lack of phosphorus is the main reason that causes the cilantro plant to turn red.

Lack of phosphorus can lead to cilantro turning red. Improper watering, incorrect soil pH, insect and disease infestation, and environmental stress are the reasons for phosphorus supply disruption. 

Lack of phosphorus causes this pigment anthocyanin, because of this pigment present in plants leaves turns their colors to red.

Soil testing is required to check for phosporus level and to over come this Bone meal is a good source of phosphorus for the plant. It is slow releasing though but works great.

we can also consider NPK fertilizer to fix this. Overwatering is also one of the problems for cilantro plants turning red. To overcome this dry the plant for few days and take out the plant and analyze for root rot and remove if any brown roots, use charcoal sprinkling to fix this, plant it back.

Here are the steps that you can follow to grow cilantro without turning red.

How to Grow Cilantro plant?

Cilantro is a fast-growing short-lived plant, if you care it properly that will be ready to harvest in just three to four weeks. The best season to grow cilantro is early spring (Just after frost). You can also replant in early fall for a full harvest. It won’t do good in the hot summer.

Cilantro can be grown in two ways, by stem cutting: placing the cut stem on rich well-drained soil (PH 6.2-6.8), giving enough sunlight, by Seed germination method: as seeds fall to the ground, plants may popup following spring, and you can give same care as cut stem method.

Here is the detailed steps to grow cilantro or coriander plants.

1. Soil Preparation

Soil is the most essential thing to grow any plants. It should give full support to grow the plant to its fullness for a better harvest.

Steps for Soil Preparation:

For soil preparation, there are three basic and important steps they are, Ploughing, Leveling, and manuring.

Check the soil PH condition which can be done by a soil test kit. Also, take care of the best suitable texture of soil for the cilantro plant.

You can grow cilantro in soil beds/ on level ground, Soil beds are preferred more because you can easily take care of the plant, for both cases you need to follow some steps.

1. Ploughing

Ploughing process includes soil loosening, Aeration, digging of soil, removing weeds from the soil. During the Soil loosening process nutrients in the deep soil will come to the top and it will be mixed. Because of Soil loosening, aeration between soil and roots will grow properly. Removing weeds, if the land is not used for a long time it will be done in this process.

2. Leveling

leveling name itself says as to level the soil. Even distribution of soil is taken care of here, wood or iron rod is used to level the soil.

This helps in clean water irrigation without logging water in some places.

3. Manuring

After ploughing and leveling of soil, manure is applied at the later stages of farming. Manuring is done is increase the nutrients of the soil which might be washed away by water, wind which is basically soil erosion and to supply enough nutrients for plants for good growth.

Now we can see what kind of soil is better for growing cilantro and what will happen if you dont use suitable soil for growing Cilantro plant.

What kind of soil does cilantro like?

This is one of the common questions that come to mind before we start to prepare the soil. People always tend to overdo or underdo it. Here is the best answer to this question.

Cilantro grows well in rich well-drained moist soil with a PH content of 6.2 to 6.8. To make it moist use a soaker hose or drip irrigation for watering and use mulching to keep the moisture level in soil, to make soil rich use good aged compost or other rich organic matter.

If you overdo, I mean if you give more manure or more water to soil also many problems will come, read on to know more about this.

Cilantro plant dying:

soil moisture content plays a major role in growing and caring cilantro plants, if it dries out or poor soil is used it will affect the growth of the plant.

More often Cilantro plant dies due to soil is not at the right moisture level. It likes and grows well in well-drained moist soil [PH 6.2 to 6.8] and if the soil dries out due to irregular watering, more heat, sun, or poor soil condition, It starts to wilt and eventually dies. It also an annual herb that dies back after flowering.

If you plant the cilantro plant just before starting the spring there are more chances it will grow and survive better.

Cilantro plant not growing:

The cilantro plant is one of the easiest herbs that you can grow in a pot or on land if you cared it well, can even get the first harvest in thirty to forty days. There are some reasons why cilantro plant not growing check here.

There are two main reasons for the cilantro plants not growing to the fullest is excess moisture in the soil, poor air circulation. Other reasons are poor soil, overwatering, under watering, excess exposure to sunlight, hot climate, crowded plants in smaller areas, Humidity.

It is very easy to destroy the growth of cilantro plant, if you just don’t water for some days, it will automatically wilt and die.

Cilantro plant turning purple:

If you plant more cilantro seeds in a small container and it doesn’t have much room to grow to its fulness, cilantro plant leaves will start to turn to the purple color problem will occur.

Cilantro plants turning to purple is due to plant grown in a small container with crowded roots. other reasons are not giving enough sunlight, more intensive fertilizer is used, because of all these plants may be stressed and thinks it is going to die, so it will bolt and produce seeds (for next generation) and eventually dies.

Cilantro plant is easy to grow but it needs to take care properly, otherwise just in few days you will loose your all plants.

2. Sowing Seeds or planting cilantro stem

cilantro can be planted by sowing seeds or by planting cilantro stem.

1. Growing Cilantro from seed:

You can sow the coriander seeds indoors or outdoor, It’s better to plant cilantro indoors once it is germinated we can transplant the plant outside for better growth.

Germinate Coriander Seeds Quickly:

There are many tips to grow coriander seeds quickly.

To germinate the coriander quickly crushing, soaking the seeds, planting in well-drained soil, giving enough exposure to sunlight, planting and seeding indoor helps to germinate faster.

1. Crushing the seed husk.

Cilantro seeds are actually contains two seeds in the husk. Husk is hard material round brown in color, To increase the chances of germination,You need to prepare the seeds by crushing the husk holding two seeds together.

2. Soaking Cilantro seeds.

To increase the chances of germination, this is the old Gardner trick to soak the seeds in water for 24 to 48 hours before planting in the pot. Don’t plant in seed tray there are more chances to grow cilantro seeds in pots indoor than seed tray or outdoor.

3. Good well drained soil.

Cilantro plant likes rich well-drained soil (PH 6.2-6.8), This plant germinates quickly and can be harvested quickly, if you didn’t care plant properly, it will bolt and die.

4. Watering and maintaining the mositure of the soil.

To germiante quickly maintaining and watering the planted pot plays the one of the important role. If you over do it also your plant will suffer , if you under do it also it suffers. It should be maintained exactly in temperatures between 17° to 27°C.

5. Should be exposed to atleast morning sunlight.

Exposing to morning sunlight also one of the important thing to do, if you cannot give morning sunlight, you can also give artificial led light.

Sowing Seeds of Cilantro plant

Sowing will germinated faster indoor, when you compare it germinating to outside garden.

After Crushing and soaking seeds Sow the coriander seeds just about 5mm deep in the soil and give space between each plant about 6 inches. Press the soil and give good mulching around 5mm above the soil this will help to keep the moisture level in the soil.

You need to grow cilantro plant crowded because its leaves will give shade to roots, helps to maintain the good moisture level in the soil.

When you are transplanting the plant from tray to garden, dig 3-4 inches of soil and place the plant nicely, press the soil and water it thoroughly.

2. Planting Cilantro stem:

Growing cilantro from stem is another method of growing cilantro plant.

Grow Cilantro from cuttings:

If you brought the cilantro from the market, you can use leaves of cilantro for cooking and stems can be used to grow cilantro plant in the garden.

You have to collect 15 -20 cuttings from the existing plants for the single pot. Some of the stems will fail, bolt and die so you can use seeds, other cuttings to grow in parallel.

Once you get the stem you need to cut 3-4 inches and place them as it is. Don’t forget to keep rootside down and stem side up be careful.

For earlier growth, you can also keep the cilantro plant in water for some days and see the growth of the small shoots. later you can transfer to the pot.

3. Watering

Watering is the regular care to any plant that should be taken care of.Thorough watering is important than watering little for many times (more frequently). If you are planting cilantro on pot, water the plant untill water comes out of drainage hole.

why is my cilantro plant wilting?

Cilantro plant wilt if you don’t give enough water, or too much hot sun due to this soil moisture is reduced.

There are two most common reasons for wilting cilantro plant (water thorough frequently to overcome this), the plant is being underwatered (not enough watering), Too hot temperature, maybe summer season water content from the huge surface area of leaves are taken away by the sun, or because of sun, the moisture level of the soil is reduced (soil drains quickly).

Cilantro plants usually wilt during hot days, plant have a huge surface area of leaves water content will pull out by the sun quickly.

To overcome this maintain a good moisture level of the soil. Water more if it is required on sunny days. If you plant in a small pot it has less soil and loose its moisture content fast. Try next time in a bigger pot with more soil.

Try to give only morning sun and keep in partial shade in the noon to save cilantro plant.

why is my cilantro plant drooping?

Cilantro plant droop if you don’t give enough water, or too much hot sun due to this soil moisture is reduced.

Cilantro plant droops for main two reasons, Under watering the plant (water thorough frequently to overcome this), other reasons are too much hot sun and not watering frequently to keep the moisture level of the soil. It is also possible that water drained out from pot very fast, use good soil mix to overcome this.

Cilantro plants usually wilt during hot days, plant have a huge surface area of leaves water content will pull out by the sun quickly.

To overcome this maintain a good moisture level of the soil. Water more if it is required on sunny days. If you plant in a small pot it has less soil and loose its moisture content fast. Try next time in a bigger pot with more soil.

Try to give only morning sun and keep in partial shade in the noon to save cilantro plant.

why is my cilantro plant limp?

Cilantro plant limp if you don’t give enough water, or too much hot sun due to this soil moisture is reduced.

Cilantro plant limp for main two reasons, Under watering the plant (water thorough frequently to overcome this), other reasons are too much hot sun and not watering frequently to keep the moisture level of the soil. It is also possible that water drained out from pot very fast, use good soil mix to overcome this.

Cilantro plants usually wilt during hot days, plant have a huge surface area of leaves water content will pull out by the sun quickly.

To overcome this maintain a good moisture level of the soil. Water more if it is required on sunny days. If you plant in a small pot it has less soil and loose its moisture content fast. Try next time in a bigger pot with more soil.

Try to give only morning sun and keep in partial shade in the noon to save cilantro plant.

why is my cilantro plant turning yellow?

The cilantro plant turns yellow due to chlorosis a process that diminishes chlorophyll on the plant. Most of the time it is caused by one issue, but you may have to try more than one fix (combination) to get your plant healthy.

Cilantro plant turns yellow, the main reason is that plant is under-stressed, due to more moisture level content in soil because of overwatering (causing root rot to plants), less exposure to sunlight, slow-draining soil, other reasons are too many nutrients (nitrogen, iron, magnesium, manganese), fewer nutrients in the soil.

why is my cilantro plant turning brown?

The cilantro plant turns brown due to chlorosis a process that diminishes chlorophyll on the plant. Most of the time it is caused by one issue, but you may have to try more one fix (combination) to get your plant healthy.

Cilantro plant turns brown, the main reason is that plant is under-stressed, due to more moisture level content in soil because of overwatering (causing root rot to plants), less exposure to sunlight, slow-draining soil, other reasons are too many nutrients (nitrogen, iron, magnesium, manganese), fewer nutrients in the soil.

This also caused becaused of root rot, allow plant to dry for few days, remove the plant from soil, analyse, prune waste roots, use charcol sprinkler, repot it to overcome this problem.

why is my cilantro plant floppy?

Cilantro plants commonly drought if you don’t give enough water, or too much hot sun due to this soil moisture is reduced.

Cilantro plant drought for main two reasons, Under watering the plant (water thorough frequently to overcome this), other reasons are too much hot sun and not watering frequently to keep the moisture level of the soil. It is also possible that water drained out from pot very fast, use good soil mix to overcome this.

Cilantro plants usually wilt during hot days, plant have a huge surface area of leaves water content will pull out by the sun quickly.

To overcome this maintain a good moisture level of the soil. Water more if it is required on sunny days. If you plant in a small pot it has less soil and loose its moisture content fast. Try next time in a bigger pot with more soil.

Try to give only morning sun and keep in partial shade in the noon to save cilantro plant.

4. Enough Exposure to Sunlight

why is my cilantro plant falling over?

Cilantro plants commonly drought if you don’t give enough water, or too much hot sun due to this soil moisture is reduced.

Cilantro plant drought for main two reasons, Under watering the plant (water thorough frequently to overcome this), other reasons are too much hot sun and not watering frequently to keep the moisture level of the soil. It is also possible that water drained out from pot very fast, use good soil mix to overcome this.

Cilantro plants usually wilt during hot days, plant have a huge surface area of leaves water content will pull out by the sun quickly.

To overcome this maintain a good moisture level of the soil. Water more if it is required on sunny days. If you plant in a small pot it has less soil and loose its moisture content fast. Try next time in a bigger pot with more soil.

Try to give only morning sun and keep in partial shade in the noon to save cilantro plant.

why is my cilantro plant bolting?

Cilantro plants have a short span of life, we need to take care if not it will bolt soon. If it bolts then it will produce seeds quickly for future generations and it will be ready to die.

Cilantro has a short span of life, bolting is one of the common things, once plant lived its life, or temperature conditions have changed from cool to hot and plant knows that it will die in hot weather and it will produce seeds quickly as possible to ensure for next generation of cilantro plants will survive to grow to overcome this try to keep soil always moist.

To overcome the cilantro plant from bolting, Try to prune the flowers once they appear to keep the plant growing but cilantro has a pretty short life span. If you live in a warm climate try to sow cilantro seeds every six weeks and keep your plant indoors.

Unfortunately if you purne the flowers the taste of the cilantro will not be same as before.it will loose the flavour once it bolts.

5. Temperature and Humidity

Cilantro plant thrives well in 17 to 27 degree centigrade, Cilantro plants are best grown in pots instead of seed tray and transplanting to pot.

If it exceeds 85F, plant will start to bolt which means it will start to grow seeds fastly for future generation and ready to die.

Cilantro plants are very thirsty, water thoroughly and regularly. check on pots for moisture level, if it is grown outside they dry out quickly. The cilantro plant thrives well in around average room humidity. (40% relative humidity).

why is my cilantro plant flowering?

Cilantro plant has the short span of life, we need to take care if not it bolt soon and flower. If it flowers then it will produce seeds quickly for future generations and it will be ready to die.

Cilantro has a short span of life, flowering ( called bolting) is one of the common things, once plant lived its life, or temperature conditions have changed from cool to hot and plant knows that it will die in hot weather and it will produce seeds quickly as possible to ensure for next generation of cilantro plants will survive to grow to overcome this try to keep soil always moist.

To overcome the cilantro plant from bolting, Try to prune the flowers once they appear to keep the plant growing but cilantro has a pretty short life span. If you live in a warm climate try to sow cilantro seeds every six weeks and keep your plant indoors.

Unfortunately, if you prune the flowers the taste of the cilantro will not be the same as before.it will lose the flavor once it bolts.

6. Fertilizer

CIlantro plant like acidic soil, use 10-10-10 fertilizer every alternative week, once the plant reach atleast 2 inches height.

Keep the soil moist , but dont keep it water logged.

Nitrogen is one of most required nutrient fertilizer when you compared to other nutrient fertilizer.

Given nitrogen, fertilizer can be easily washed away by water, soil erosion. Many plant experts don’t suggest fertilizer and they say if you use it will be toxic, I personally didn’t find this true.

NPK fertilizer, For the cilantro plant, use more nitrogen fertilizer that is mentioned in the product label.
I commonly use 10-6-4, 24-8-16, and sometimes fish emulsion 5-1-1. These 3 numbers always refer to Nitrogen-phosphorus, potassium and always come in the order N-P-K.

Nitrogen is essential for building chlorophyll, the green pigment. Fruit, flower production, root development stimulates by phosphorus. potassium affects cell wall strength and hardiness. This is the simple explanation for these 3 major nutrients play.

7. Harvesting and Storing

Usually harvesting leaves can be started as quick as 30 days in cilantro plant, if you everything you followed correctly.

How to cut cilantro plants?

Harvest when it is low. Harvesting is one of the enjoying work because its the result of growing plant.

Large leaves can be cut from the single plant using a pruner, For smaller leaves cut them off one and a half inches to 2 inches above the crown. You can also cut the entire plant but it won’t regrow from the old plant.

How to Harvest Cilantro Seeds?

Harvest when it is low. When cilantro grows back its stalks. cut off the plant after seed drop and let the cilantro self seed. This is one of the easiest ways to harvest cilantro seeds.

will cilantro grow back after cutting?

Cilantro plant grows back after cutting, if it is cut only leaves or once the plant is made to seed drop then cut the whole plant. In both cases, the plant grows back. If it is growing from seed it will take more time to grow compared to leaves cutting.

How to Preserve Cilantro?

If you just harvest the cilantro plant leaves, once the plant reaches around 2 inches it will grow back quickly, compared to growing from seed.

Cilantro leaves can be saved by freezing or drying out. To freeze use a resealable freezer bag and store it in the freezer. Dry out the plant by hanging them in a warm place until fully dried, then store the leaves in a sealable container or bag. store cilantro seeds by the cut-off seeds head and when it turns brown place it in a container and wait till seeds fall off.

8. Pests and Diseases

Like other herbs cilantro plant is pest-resistant, supports naturally as pest resistant for your garden.

flowers attract hoverflies and other beneficial insects that prey on bad bugs.

This plant is more succeptible to

• Alphids
• Leaf hoppers
• Leaf spot
• Mildew

Final Thoughts:

With the help of above steps i have recovered my cilantro plant turning from red. Happy planting.