If you don’t have an outdoor space or a traditional garden? You might wonder, ‘Can You Grow Cilantro In An Aerogarden.’ This is the article about whether you’re trying to grow cilantro because of a lack of space or want to try something new or innovative for your indoor gardening hobby. Here, you will explore the complete process of growing cilantro in an aero garden. I will also provide all the tips and tricks you need to grow cilantro in an aero garden.
Can You Grow Cilantro In An Aerogarden?
Yes, you can grow cilantro in an Aerogarden or an indoor hydroponic system that allows you to grow herbs and vegetables in a controlled environment. Cilantro grown in an Aerogarden does not require much space, and you can harvest it multiple times throughout its growth cycle.
How Many Cilantro Seeds Per Aerogarden Pod?
The number of cilantro seeds per Aerogarden pod will depend on your specific Aerogarden model and seed pod kit. According to the Aerogarden website, you can plant up to 7 cilantro seeds per pod.
Generally, most Aerogarden seed pod kits have 7-9 cilantro seeds per pod. For example, the Aerogarden Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit includes nine cilantro seeds per pod. Ame time, Aerogarden Bounty Elite Seed Pod Kit includes only seven cilantro seeds per pod.
Also Read: 7 Possible Causes for Cilantro Seedlings Falling Over
How To Grow Cilantro In Aerogarden In 7 Steps
Step 1: First, Buy Aerogarden Unit, Cilantro Seeds, & Aerogarden Pods Specifically For Cilantro
When you want to grow cilantro in an Aerogarden, you’ll need to invest in an Aerogarden unit, cilantro seeds, and Aerogarden pods. People often go with the universal parts, but I recommend buying Aerogarden pods specifically for cilantro seeds.
Step 2: After that, Prepare The Aerogarden By Adding Water & Nutrients To The Unit’s Reservoir
Before you start planting your cilantro seeds, you’ll need to set up your Aerogarden according to the instructions provided with the unit. This includes adding water & nutrients to the unit’s reservoir. Also, insert the grow deck and turn on the grow light.
Step 3: Plant You Cilantro Seeds About 1/4 Inch Deep
After preparing the aero garden unit, it’s time to plant the cilantro seeds you bought. Ensure you are not burdensome when pressing the seeds into the Aerogarden pods. Also, it would be best to ensure you must ensure fully covered with the growing medium. As per Gardening Know How you must plant your cilantro seeds about 1/4 inch deep.
Step 4: Provide At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight Or 14-16 Hours Of Artificial Light A Day.
Cilantro needs a cool temperature and requires a lot of light to grow. This is why I also want you to purchase a Grow light. The first step is to ensure that your Aerogarden unit is placed in an area with plenty of natural light or use the built-in grow lights.
As Herbs&Homes recommends, you should provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to your cilantro plant if the Aerogarden unit is outdoors. On the other hand, you will have to provide 14-16 hours of artificial light per day if the Aerogarden unit is indoors.
Step 5: Monitor Water & Nutrient Levels
Many of my articles have mentioned the importance of water and the nutrient levels required for cilantro. You must provide proper nutrients, including Phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium, to promote your cilantro plant’s healthy growth and make it thrive.
You must monitor the watering schedule and nutrient level in your Aerogarden unit. You should only Water Your plant when required. But you should note that cilantro requires consistent moisture & well-draining soil to thrive.
Also Read: 5 EASY STEPS TO SAVE ‘OVERWATERED CILANTRO
Step 6: Harvest The Cilantro When It Gains A Height Of 4-6 Inches
If your cilantro plants have reached a height of 4-6 inches, you can start harvesting the leaves for use in your favorite dishes. Ensure you only pinch off the leaves at the stem without damaging the entire plant because it can regrow.
Step 7: Regrow or Start Over
There have been many instances when cilantro plants keep dying, and people have reported frequently about it. We have also shared an article on why my cilantro plant keeps dying.
Since Cilantro plants have a relatively short lifespan, typically lasting only a few months before going to seed, therefore, If you want to continue growing cilantro, you can either let the plant go to the source and collect the seeds from planting again or you can always start over with new seeds & pods.
How To Prune Cilantro Aerogarden?
Are you ready to learn how to prune cilantro in your Aerogarden? I hope you already know that pruning is essential in growing healthy cilantro plants and encouraging new growth.
- First, you must determine the right time to prune your cilantro plant. As most experts recommend, you should prune your cilantro plant once it reaches a height of 4-5 inches. This will also help you encourage your cilantro to focus on new growth rather than going to see ld very quickly.
- When pruning cilantro, you need to pinch off the leaves at the stem but remove only the ones that start to restart wilt, as these no longer tend to be productive. Pinching off leaves will also help your plant focus on new foliage and prevent it from becoming leggings.
- It would be best if you stuck with the pruning schedule because it is recommended to prune cilantro plants every two to three weeks to prevent bolting, which means going to seed.
- Make sure you use the pruned leaves in your cooking to add fresh flavor to your dishes, as they are edible and usable. You should know that cilantro leaves are popular in Mexican words and common ingredients in Indian and Thai cuisine.
- When you’re pruning a cilantro plant, if you notice most of its leaves becoming dull and the plant eventually bolts, which usually occurs after 2-3 months, you must harvest your plant.
How To Harvest Cilantro Aerogarden?
- First, you need to choose the right time to harvest. The best time to gather your cilantro plant is when it is about 6-8 inches tall, and its leaves are at their peak flavor and Aroma.
- If this is the case, you will need to use a clean & sharp pair of pruning shears or scissors to cut the stem just above the soil level. It would be best if you considered cutting the branches at a slide angle so that it promotes new growth.
- After that, you can rinse the harvested leaves under cold water, so no dirt or debris is left. Then pat it to dry using a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. Once your cilantro plant has reached its full maturity, consider disposing of it entirely and starting over.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you should know how to approach planting cilantro seeds in an Aerogarden unit and then caring for them. You can successfully grow your cilantro in an aero garden with proper care and maintenance.
I tried my best to give you all the information on the question: can you grow cilantro in an aero garden? If you find this article helpful, then consider sharing it. Your share will make many people realize they can also grow cilantro in an aero garden if they lack enough space or want to experiment.
I have shared many other helpful articles on cilantro plant care and management. I recommend you consider checking out our other practical guide on this particular vegetable. See you in the next post, till then take care and goodbye.
