How to Grow Coriander in New Zealand

Updated June 2026

Bolts quickly in summer heat, so favour autumn through early spring sowings in the warm north. Sow little and often direct into the bed as it dislikes transplanting. Let some plants flower for coriander seed and to feed beneficial insects.

What it looks like as it grows

When to plant coriander in New Zealand

Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:

Best coriander varieties for NZ

• Calypso, Slow-bolting leaf type, markedly slower to flower than other coriander, best for a long picking season. (Kings Seeds)
• Picante, Slow-bolting selection with dark green foliage and good flavour, NZ grown and untreated. (Kings Seeds)
• Slow Bolt / Leisure, Reliable leaf coriander bred to hold longer before running to seed. (Egmont Seeds, Mr Fothergill's NZ)

How to grow coriander

• Space plants about 15cm apart.
• Sow seed around 1cm deep.
• Position: part shade.
• Ready to harvest in roughly 50 days.
• Seeds germinate in about 10 days.

Companion planting

Grow coriander near: Spinach, Dill.

When it goes wrong

The most common ways coriander trips people up, and what to change next time:

Bolts to seed almost immediately

Heat and root disturbance. Sow direct in the cooler months, keep it watered, and sow a little every few weeks.

Pale and weak

Too hot or hungry. Give it some shade in summer and a light feed.