How to Grow Cilantro Microgreens (Like a Pro)

Growing cilantro microgreens can be frustrating — mold issues, stubborn seed hulls, inconsistent flavor, and longer grow times make it one of the trickier crops out there.

But here’s the thing…

Over the last decade, I’ve not only grown cilantro microgreens for my own farm, but I’ve helped hundreds of other farms troubleshoot their cilantro setups through my consulting work. And every time, the same problems come up — too much mold, weak flavor, poor yields, and trays full of seed hulls.

The good news? With the right method, cilantro microgreens can go from one of your most frustrating crops to one of your most profitable and in-demand.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through my exact process — the one I’ve refined over 10+ years of growing and consulting — to help you:

Grow stronger, cleaner cilantro with fewer hulls and way less mold
Get better flavor and shelf life that chefs love
And price your trays for higher profits

Let’s get into it.

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🌿 Why Grow Cilantro Microgreens?

Cilantro microgreens have a bold, bright flavor — like mature cilantro, but without the “soapy” aftertaste some people dislike. They're loved by chefs, home cooks, and foodies alike. Even better? They work in every market channel — grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers' markets.

Plus, most growers skip cilantro due to its longer crop cycle (15–18 days), which means lower competition and higher profit potential for you.

🧬 Start With the Right Cilantro Seeds

There are two main seed options:

Coriander (whole) – each seed contains two sprouts
Monogerm or “Leisure” Split Seeds – mechanically split, with one sprout per seed

While both work, I highly recommend monogerm for better germination and more even growth. You can grab them from:

🌡️ Ideal Cilantro Growing Conditions

Cilantro thrives in cooler temperatures (70–80°F / 21–26°C). High temps (above 28°C) often lead to poor germination or weak crops — especially in greenhouses during summer. If you’re growing indoors with climate control, you’re golden.

Humidity Tip:

Keep levels between 35–50% to reduce mold risk.

Mold Prevention Bonus:

Cover seeds with fine-grade vermiculite — this alone can dramatically reduce mold and damping off. I’ve seen it transform farms struggling with cilantro.👉 Recommended Vermiculite on Amazon

🧪 Soil, Fertilizer, and Seeding

Mix a high-quality soil blend using:

Pro Mix HP or MP soil
Gaia Green 4-4-4 Organic Fertilizer

This “super soil” recipe boosts root strength, prevents disease, and gives you consistent growth across trays. (Want the full recipe? Grab my Free Growing Guide).

Seeding:

Use 20 grams of monogerm seed per tray
[Seeder Tool Tip:] The Little Green Seeding Machine evenly spreads seed and reduces mold risk at higher densities

💧 Watering + Stacking for Success

Stack trays for 6–7 days to help hulls pop off
Mist daily during stacking to soften hulls
After stacking, move trays under lights and bottom water (start with 500ml per tray)

✅ Use 3 grow lights for every 4 trays for best results👉 Affordable LED Grow Lights

✂️ Harvesting Cilantro Microgreens

Harvest at 15–18 days, depending on temp
Use a sharp knife for a clean cut
Expect 120–160g per tray
Sell in 1oz clamshells at $4–$5 each👉 Recommended Clamshell Packaging

That’s 4–6 retail units per tray, and with a good price point, cilantro can become one of your best margin crops.

The Best Microgreens Supplies

Want a quick summary of the gear that’ll make your cilantro grow easier?

Item	Link
Shelving Unit	Click Here
Soil (Pro Mix)	Click Here
Fertilizer (Gaia Green 4-4-4)	Click Here
Grow Trays With Holes	Click Here
Grow Trays Without Holes	Click Here
Scale (for weighing)	Click Here
Vermiculite	Click Here
WiFi Timer	Click Here

📘 Free Resources to Grow Faster

💡 Download the Free Growing GuideStep-by-step growing instructions, supply list, and soil recipes.

📺 Watch the YouTube VideoGet full visual demos, harvest examples, and microgreens farm tours.

🎓 Take the Microgreens Business CourseFrom growing to selling — build a profitable microgreens business that scales.

Final Thoughts

Cilantro might be a bit more advanced than radish or pea shoots, but trust me — once you dial it in, it’s worth it. With a longer crop cycle, you’ll face less competition, command higher prices, and offer chefs and foodies a next-level ingredient.

Got questions or want help setting up your cilantro grow? Reach out anytime

Happy growing?

Jonah

Founder, Microgreens Consulting