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Growing Cilantro (Coriander)
in Plastic Boxes

A plastic boxes growing guide for cilantro (coriander) — container size, soil mix, watering, and the mistakes that quietly kill your yields.

🌱Easy difficulty
🪣1 gal min
📅21-45 days
☀Full Sun
⏱Low maintenance
Published

Quick answer: Cilantro (Coriander) grows well in plastic boxes. Use a 1-gallon, 8"-deep bag with well-drained; loamy; moderately fertile, pH 6.2-6.8. Every 2-4 days in summer, weekly in cool weather; the large soil mass holds moisture well, so check 3 inches deep before watering. Feed weekly with 5-10-10. Expect harvest in 21-45 days, yielding 1-2 cups leaves; 1 oz seed.

Growing cilantro (coriander) in plastic boxes: why it works

Repurposed storage totes or boxes converted into deep planters offer large soil volume at low cost, but solid walls trap heat and require post-purchase drainage modification.

For cilantro (coriander) specifically (Coriandrum sativum, Apiaceae family, Annual edible), this matters because cilantro (coriander) are heavy-rooted, high-water plants that need fast drainage. The controlled root environment lets you dial water and nutrients in tighter than open-ground growing allows.

"Get the plastic boxes substrate and water rhythm right and the rest is variety choice. Get either wrong and no cultivar saves you."

Sizing the pot and setting it up right

Soil recipe

From the plastic boxes specialist playbook: 50% potting mix, 30% compost, 20% perlite - the large volume warrants extra drainage to prevent the closed base from staying soggy.

Cilantro (Coriander)-specific tweak: cilantro (coriander) prefer pH 6.2–6.8, soil type well-drained; loamy; moderately fertile. Most quality potting mixes land in that range out of the bag — test before adjusting.

How to set up plastic boxes for cilantro (coriander) step by step

  1. Choose your plastic boxes. 1-gallon minimum, 8" deep. Black is fine indoors; choose tan or grey for outdoor desert/hot-summer settings.
  2. Mix the soil. 50% potting mix, 30% compost, 20% perlite - the large volume warrants extra drainage to prevent the closed base from staying soggy. Mix in a wheelbarrow or tarp before filling.
  3. Fill and transplant. Fill to 2 inches below the rim. Direct Sow.
  4. Water in. Soak until water drains through the fabric walls (yes, the sides will weep — that's normal).
  5. Position in sun. 4–6 hours direct Full Sun. Elevate dark-colored pots off hot concrete on a plant caddy.
  6. Mark feeding schedule. Begin weekly feeding 2 weeks after transplant with 5-10-10 fertilizer.

Which cilantro (coriander) varieties do best in plastic boxes?

Plastic Boxes work for any cilantro (coriander) type, but the fast root-zone drying favors plants that handle steady deep watering. Top picks from breeders' lists (varieties verified via All-America Selections and university extension trials):

Cilantro (Coriander) watering, dialed in for plastic boxes

Method baseline: Every 2-4 days in summer, weekly in cool weather; the large soil mass holds moisture well, so check 3 inches deep before watering.

Cilantro (Coriander)-specific: the baseline holds for cilantro (coriander) (water_category: Medium, baseline 2 days), with adjustments:

Cilantro (Coriander) fertilizer routine for plastic boxes

Method baseline: Slow-release granules at planting plus monthly liquid feed, or biweekly compost tea throughout the growing season.

Cilantro (Coriander)-specific: cilantro (coriander) are a light feeder. Use 5-10-10 (low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus/potassium) once flowers appear. High-nitrogen fertilizer in plastic boxes gives you a beautiful leafy plant with zero fruit. Start feeding 2 weeks after transplant, then weekly through the harvest window.

How much sun does cilantro (coriander) need in plastic boxes?

Method baseline: 6+ hours direct sun; lighter-colored boxes stay cooler than dark ones in summer heat.

Cilantro (Coriander)-specific: cilantro (coriander) want 4–6 hours of Full Sun. South or west exposure is ideal. If you're growing on a balcony with only morning sun, choose compact varieties (more forgiving with less light) and skip the long-season heirlooms.

Will cilantro (coriander) pollinate in plastic boxes?

Cilantro (Coriander)s are self-pollinating — a single plant will set fruit on its own through wind or gentle shaking. First flowers typically appear 45 days after transplant. In plastic boxes, the air-pruned root system actually produces flowers a few days earlier than in rigid containers — a nice side bonus.

Pollination tip for indoor plastic boxes: hand-pollinate by tapping the cage gently once flowers open, or use an electric toothbrush against the stem for 1 second per cluster. Vibration shakes pollen loose like a bee would.

Common mistakes

Plastic Boxes mistakes (top 3)

  1. Forgetting to drill enough drainage holes.
  2. Using boxes that held chemicals or food residue.
  3. Placing dark boxes in full afternoon sun, cooking the roots.

Cilantro (Coriander) mistakes

  1. Transplanting (taproot dislikes disturbance).
  2. Planting in midsummer heat (bolts in days).
  3. Harvesting too much at once.
  4. Planting too thickly causing damping off.

Cilantro (Coriander) trouble: pests and diseases to know

Common pests: aphids; armyworms; cutworms; whiteflies.

Common diseases: bacterial leaf spot; powdery mildew; damping off; root rot.

Plastic Boxes keeps soil-borne disease pressure low when the substrate is fresh and clean. Spider mites still come for dry-summer plants; mist the underside of leaves weekly if you see stippling.

What does weekly cilantro (coriander) care look like in plastic boxes?

Method routine: Inspect for UV stress cracks each spring, drill additional drainage holes if water pools after rain, and consider painting dark boxes a light color to reduce heat absorption.

Cilantro (Coriander)-specific: Pinch flower buds to delay bolting and extend leaf harvest; let some plants flower for coriander seed Growth rate: Fast.

Harvest

Expect 1-2 cups leaves; 1 oz seed in plastic boxes (roughly 70-80% of ground-grown yield). Harvest window: 21 days from first ripe fruit. Standard harvest months: May; Jun; Sep; Oct; Nov; year-round indoors with grow lights.

What you harvest: leaves; seeds; stems; roots. Culinary uses: Fresh in salsa; guacamole; curries; chutneys; Vietnamese pho; tacos; coriander seed in pickling; baking; spice blends

Wildlife & pet safety

Wildlife value: bees; hoverflies; beneficial wasps; lacewings attracted to flowers; supports beneficial insect populations. Originally from Southern Europe; Northern Africa; Western Asia.

Deer resistant: Yes · Rabbit resistant: Yes. Elevated containers on a balcony or fenced patio solve deer/rabbit pressure naturally.
Pet safety: Toxic to cats: No · Toxic to dogs: No. Non-toxic per ASPCA; safe for cats and dogs in small amounts; per ASPCA

Pro tip from the plastic boxes playbook

Drill drainage holes through the sides 1 inch above the base instead of the bottom - keeps a small water reservoir for dry spells while preventing fully soggy roots.

Grower's tip for Cilantro (Coriander)

Direct sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest; grow in part shade during hot months to slow bolting; harvest outer leaves first; once it bolts let it flower and seed for coriander harvest and to attract beneficial insects

Plastic Boxes cilantro (coriander) FAQ

Can I use plastic boxes for cilantro (coriander) indoors?

Yes, with a saucer. Plastic Boxes weep water through the sides for the first few days after watering — protect indoor floors with a tray or saucer that catches sideways drips, not just bottom drainage. Light requirement: 4–6 hours of Full Sun, so plan supplemental grow lights for low-light rooms.

What size plastic boxes do I need for cilantro (coriander)?

1 gallons absolute minimum, 8" deep. The practical sweet spot is 3 gallons for steady production. Larger is better for indeterminate or high-yield growing.

How often should I water cilantro (coriander) in plastic boxes?

Every 2-4 days in summer, weekly in cool weather; the large soil mass holds moisture well, so check 3 inches deep before watering.

Will cilantro (coriander) grow as well in plastic boxes as in the ground?

Yield is roughly 70-80% of ground-grown for the same variety, but plant health is often better — fewer soil-borne disease problems and no competition from other roots. For most home growers, plastic boxes are a net win.

How long do plastic boxes last?

2-4 years outdoors before UV degrades the fabric. Up to 6 years if stored indoors during winter and dried completely before folding.

What soil mix works best for cilantro (coriander) in plastic boxes?

50% potting mix, 30% compost, 20% perlite - the large volume warrants extra drainage to prevent the closed base from staying soggy. The extra perlite compensates for fabric's fast moisture loss while keeping the root zone aerated.

Do plastic boxes get too hot in summer?

Dark-colored plastic boxes can heat the soil 10-15°F above ambient in direct afternoon sun. Use tan or light grey fabric for hot climates, mulch the soil surface 3-4 inches deep with straw, and elevate pots off concrete or pavers on a plant caddy or wood block.

Can plastic boxes be reused across seasons?

Yes — rinse inside and out at season's end, dry completely before folding, store flat indoors. Expect 2-4 years of outdoor use before UV degrades the fabric. Replacements run $5-12 per pot in 3-packs.

What to buy for cilantro (coriander) in plastic boxes

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Citations & sources

Climate, geographic, and toxicity data on this page come from public datasets. Cultivar profiles and growing recommendations draw on land-grant university extension research.