When to Plant Coriander in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Sow March to August. Right now in October it is out of season. The next sowing month is March.

Also called cilantro, Chinese parsley.

Planting window
A cool-season herb here, sown from autumn through winter. It bolts quickly once spring heats up, so stop sowing after August.
Days to harvest
35 days
Sunlight
Full sun in cool weather. Part shade essential in warm zones to delay bolting.
Water needs
Keep consistently moist at all times. Any drought stress triggers bolting. Mulch to...
Spacing
5cm apart, 20cm between rows
Soil pH
6.0-7.0

Published · Last reviewed · By GardenBuddy.au
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Coriander guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Coriander

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The most frustrating herb in Australia. Coriander bolts to seed at the first hint of warmth, making it a cool-season-only crop in most zones. Both the leaves (cilantro) and seeds (coriander spice) are useful. Understanding its biology is the key to managing bolting. This is NOT a herb that grows like parsley. It is a rapid-lifecycle annual that wants to flower and die as fast as possible.

See what grows now in your own postcode

Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - S/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D T/D - - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 24.4°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.

What this month normally looks like

In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.

How to Grow Coriander in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

A cool-season herb here, sown from autumn through winter. It bolts quickly once spring heats up, so stop sowing after August.

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with compost. Consistent moisture critical.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun in cool weather. Part shade essential in warm zones to delay bolting.
Spacing
5cm apart, 20cm between rows
Watering
Keep consistently moist at all times. Any drought stress triggers bolting. Mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool.

Companion plants: Dill, Chervil, Parsley, Lettuce

Avoid planting near: Fennel

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Coriander

Recommended Varieties

  • Slow Bolt
  • Leisure

Key Challenges

  • Extreme heat causes instant bolting
  • Low humidity desiccates leaves
  • Narrow planting window

Pro Tips

  • 50% shade cloth essential
  • Mulch heavily
  • Drip irrigation for consistent moisture

Harvesting Coriander

When ready: Harvest leaves once plants are 10-15cm tall. Harvest before any sign of central flower stem elongation.

How to harvest: Cut outer leaves at base, leaving central growing point. Or cut entire plant 3cm above soil for regrowth (one regrowth only). For seed: let plants bolt, flower, and set seed until brown.

Where to next

What coriander costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this October: Lemongrass, Cucumber, Savory and Basil.

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Common Questions About Coriander

When do you plant coriander in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does coriander grow all year round in Alice Springs?

No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Mar to Aug. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

What else is coriander called?

Coriander is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it cilantro, Chinese parsley. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.