If you’re growing Cilantro at home, you might have noticed seedlings falling over continuously. The problem of cilantro seedlings falling over is quite common, and there is nothing to worry about.
In this article, I will discuss seven must-check sectors that could be causing your cilantro seedlings to fall over unexpectedly, as well as what you can do to fix it. If you want to get your cilantro plant back on track and grow fully, read this article thoroughly.
7 Reasons Why My Cilantro Seedlings Falling Over
Lack Of Proper Lighting
If your cilantro seedlings are not getting enough light, you’ll notice them leaning over or falling completely. Even those Cilantro needs cool temperatures; they are also sun-loving plants requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Hence, if you’re growing your Cilantro indoors, place it near a south-facing window or use artificial grow lights if possible.
Over-Watering
Another common reason why your cilantro seedlings are all over could be related to watering frequency. If you’re over-watering, the soil might get waterlogged, which will cause cilantro seedlings to fall. Overwatered cilantro plants often suffer from root rot, weakening your entire plant and causing it to fall over. To avoid over-watering, I highly advise only watering your Cilantro when the top inch of soil is dry.
Under-Watering
Also, underwatering can cause cilantro seedlings to fall over. If the soil is too dry, your cilantro seedlings or plants will become dehydrated and weak, making them more prone to falling over. Therefore, I highly advise you to regularly check your cilantro soil moisture and water it when needed. If you feel the soil is arid, water it. Signs of underwatering include:
- Wilted Leaves
- Cilantro Plant Yellowing
- Dry Soil
- Dry Stem
- Stunted Growth
Lack Of Nutrients
You should know that Cilantro is a heavy feeder, which means you will have to provide a lot of nutrients to your plant to grow strong & healthy. If your cilantro seedlings are not getting enough nutrients, they may become weak and fall over unexpectedly.
This is why I highly recommend fertilizing Cilantro regularly with a balanced fertilizer that contains equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, & potassium. In addition to this, you can also provide Epsom salt, which is rich in magnesium, to promote better pigmentation.
Pests & Diseases
Pests and diseases can also cause cilantro seedlings to fall over. For example, aphids can suck the sap from the plant, causing it to weaken and fall over. Fusarium wilt, a fungal disease, can cause the plant to wilt and fall over. Keep your garden clean and tidy to avoid pests and diseases, and remove any infected plants immediately. (According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac) You can also grow cilantro in an aero garden, ruling out the infestation risk of pests or tiny bugs on cilantro leaves.
Crowding
If your cilantro seedlings are too close together, they may compete for resources like water & nutrients, which can eventually cause them to become weak and fall over. I highly recommend you space your cilantro seedlings at least 6 inches apart to give them enough room to grow.
Wind damage
Living in a region that experiences strong winds, or extreme weather events can also cause cilantro seedlings to fall over. This usually happens when you grow your Cilantro outdoors. If this is the case, I recommend you protect your Cilantro plant from strong winds by using a windbreak or planting it in a sheltered spot. Did you know what will happen if your cilantro turns red? If you know or don’t know, check out these 3 bad consequences and seven possible reasons for this phenomenon.
How To Fix Cilantro Seedlings Falling Over?
Step 1: First, Provide At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight To Your Cilantro Plant.
The first thing you should do is check the lighting conditions for your cilantro seedlings. As I told you earlier, most Cilantro needs at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to grow strong and healthy.
Therefore, If your cilantro seedlings do not get the proper amount of light daily, they will become weak and fall over. So, you should consider placing your cilantro plant near a window if grown indoors in a pot. Alternatively, artificial grow light can be used if your indoor cilantro plant is big or extended to the ground.
Step 2: Only Water Your Cilantro When Its Top Inch Of Soil Feels Dry To The Touch
As I told you in the above section, Over-watering and under-watering can cause cilantro seedlings to fall over. Therefore, you need to water your client’s row when the maximum age of the soil is dry to the touch.
You can dip your index finger into the ground a few inches deep to check if it is moist. If it feels dry, you can water it. However, if it is very wet, ensure it’s not waterlogging. It is essential to provide a sound drainage system as well. To avoid under-watering, you must check the soil moisture regularly and water only when needed.
Step 3: Fertilise Regularly With A Balanced Fertiliser With an Equal Proportion Of Nutrients Like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium.
I hope I don’t need to explain why Cilantro is a heavy feeder. Therefore I will recommend you first take a sample of your soil and get it tested at the nearest lab to determine what nutrients are deficient. After knowing what nutrients you need to add to your ground and how much, get a proper fertilizer with a balanced and equal proportion of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Step 4: Keep An Eye Out For Signs Of Pests and Diseases
You must pay attention to the signs of pest infestation because aphids are known for sucking the sap from the plant, causing it to weaken and fall over. On the other hand, a few fungal diseases like Fusarium wilt can also cause your plant seedling to wilt and fall over. This is why you should always tension to in caring for and maintenance of your garden. It is recommended to keep your garden clean and remove any infected plants immediately.
Step 5: Space Your Cilantro Seedlings At Least 6 Inches Apart
Now you know that Crowding can also cause cilantro seedlings to fall over. Therefore, you should never plant cilantro seedlings too close together as they may start competing for resources like nutrients and water. It can eventually cause them to weaken and fall over unexpectedly. As I said in the above section, you need to space your cilantro seedlings at least 6 inches apart to give them enough room to grow.
5 Tips To Prevent Cilantro Seedlings from Falling Over
- Always purchase seeds from a reputable supplier and check the expiration date.
- It would be best if you never used old seeds. Using new sources will ensure that your cilantro seedlings are strong and healthy.
- If you’re growing Cilantro in a container, provide adequate drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom.
- Before planting your cilantro seedlings outdoors, you must consider hardening them first by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions like sunlight and wind over 7-10 days.
- Plant your cilantro seedlings in well-draining soil and avoid over-watering or overhead watering.
- If your Cilantro is outdoors, consider providing wind protection like a windbreak or shade cloth.
- I will advise you to pinch back the tips of the cilantro plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and stronger stems.
Related Cilantro Plant Topics
| Did You Knew About Tiny Bugs On Cilantro Plant? |
| How Many Cilantro Per Square Foot? |
| 5 Reasons Why Does My Cilantro Look Like a Dill? |
FAQ
Q: How Do You Keep Cilantro From Falling Over?
If you want to keep Cilantro from falling over, start with good-quality seeds and provide adequate drainage. Afterward, ensure you are hardening off your seedlings and provide wind protection if planted outdoors.
Why Is My Cilantro Not Standing Up?
There could be many reasons your Cilantro is not standing up, like overwatering, overhead watering, lack of sunlight, or lack of proper nutrition. Ensure only to water Your plant when the soil’s top inch feels dry and provide adequate drainage. Also, you must offer balanced fertilizer with equal NPK, like 10-10-10, and sunlight regularly for at least 6 hours.
Conclusion
I can relate to and understand how frustrating it can be when you first see your cilantro seedlings falling over. I tried my best to give you all the tips and tricks you can use to prevent it from happening and fix it at hand. Follow all these tips correctly with a holistic approach depending upon the factor.
I assure you that you’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious Cilantro from your hard work. However, if you are still unable to determine why my cilantro seedlings are falling over, never consult a specialist.
I tried to give you all the information you needed on cilantro seedlings falling over. If you find this article helpful, then consider sharing it. Your share will help many people save their seedlings from falling over again and learn what to do for their plant seedlings.
Also, you should check our other cilantro plant care and management articles on this site. See you in the next post, till then, take care and goodbye.
