When to Plant Coriander in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Also called cilantro, Chinese parsley.
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
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.
Jump to section
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.
- Planting window
- Mar to Aug
- Days to harvest
- 35 days
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Regular
- Spacing
- 5 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.0
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.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar S/D
- Apr S/T/D
- May S/T/D
- Jun S/T/D
- Jul S/T/D (likely to bolt)
- Aug T/D (likely to bolt)
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Amber = likely to bolt if sown this month, it matures into heat or long days.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Arid / Semi-Arid zone right now, Coriander included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Coriander in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained soil with compost. Consistent moisture critical.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- 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.
- Good companions
- Lettuce, Cucumber, Carrot, Dill, Cabbage
- Keep away from
- 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
Pests and problems for Coriander in Arid / Semi-Arid
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.
Storing and preserving coriander
How to keep it
- Freezing in oil cubes. Chop leaves finely, pack into ice cube trays, cover with olive oil. Freeze. Best preservation method for coriander. Retains more flavour than drying. Keeps: 6 months frozen.
- Drying (seeds/spice). Dry mature seeds thoroughly in paper bags for 2 weeks. Store whole seeds and grind as needed. Toast lightly before grinding for best flavour. Keeps: 2-3 years for whole seeds.
- Coriander paste. Blend leaves, stems, garlic, green chilli, salt, and oil into paste. Freeze in ice cube trays or small jars with oil layer on top. Keeps: 6 months frozen, 2 weeks refrigerated.
What coriander costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
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:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Jul Likely to bolt if sown in July.
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to Aug Likely to bolt if sown in August.
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to Sep
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Feb to Jun, Aug to Nov Likely to bolt if sown in September, October and November.
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Feb to Mar, Aug to Nov Likely to bolt if sown in October and November.
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to Aug Likely to bolt if sown in July and August.
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to Sep
Can you grow coriander 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. Likely to bolt if sown in July and August.
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.
When should I plant Coriander in Alice Springs?
A cool-season herb here, sown from autumn through winter. It bolts quickly once spring heats up, so stop sowing after August.
What soil temperature do Coriander need?
Coriander germinate best when soil temperature is between 10°C and 25°C.
How do I know when Coriander are ready to harvest?
Harvest leaves once plants are 10-15cm tall. Harvest before any sign of central flower stem elongation.
What are the best Coriander varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Slow Bolt, Leisure.
What grows well with Coriander?
Good companion plants for Coriander include: Lettuce, Cucumber, Carrot, Dill, Cabbage.
Are coriander salt tolerant?
Only a little. Coriander are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it 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.