When to Plant Coriander in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow March to May and July to September. Right now in September you can sow.

Also called cilantro, Chinese parsley.

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

This Coriander guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs 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.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Coriander sowing time in Brisbane?

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Coriander in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Best: March-August. Marginal: September. Forget October-February. Sow every 2-3 weeks during window.

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

Subtropical Growing Tips for Coriander

Recommended Varieties

  • Slow Bolt
  • Leisure
  • Santo
  • Calypso

Key Challenges

  • Bolts rapidly once day length increases in September
  • Short useful window
  • Every warm day accelerates bolting

Pro Tips

  • Autumn is better than spring. Cooler trending temps delay bolting
  • Sow in shade of taller crops (corn, tomato cages)
  • Heavy mulching and consistent moisture are non-negotiable

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.

Common Coriander Pests in Subtropical Zones

Powdery Mildew and Aphids, risk: MODERATE (score: 62/100)

Organic prevention: Fast-growing coriander usually outpaces aphid damage. Healthy plants resist better.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

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

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

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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 Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Mar to May, Jul to Sep. 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.