Coriander (dhania)

Coriandrum sativum

Family: Apiaceae

Quick stats

Family	Apiaceae
Typical harvest	4.8 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	5
Seasons	3

Crop profile

Growth habit	annual
Days to harvest	75
Main uses	Fresh leaves for flavouring, tender stems, and seeds (spice).
Pollination	insect
Origin / where it grows	Widely grown in highland and mid-altitude areas across East Africa for kitchen and market gardens.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	15–25 °C
Rainfall	400–700 mm/yr
Altitude	0–2600 m
Best pH	6.2–7.2
Soil type	Well-drained loam or sandy loam rich in organic matter.
Row spacing	30 cm
Plant spacing	10 cm
Planting depth	1.5 cm
Seed rate	12 kg/ha
Nursery days	—

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop is annual. You plant, grow and harvest it in one main season, then plant again. You can normally start harvesting about 75 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for fresh leaves for flavouring, tender stems, and seeds (spice)..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Widely grown in highland and mid-altitude areas across East Africa for kitchen and market gardens. It is grouped under: Vegetables, Spices & Condiments.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 400 to 700 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2600 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6.2 to 7.2. It does well in well-drained loam or sandy loam rich in organic matter.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 30 centimetres apart, and leave about 10 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 1.5 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 12 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Sow directly in moist, well-prepared beds. Break split seeds lightly, sow shallow and cover with fine soil. Keep beds evenly moist until germination.

Transplanting: Best direct-seeded. If transplanted, move seedlings very young to avoid bolting.

Irrigation: Keep soil evenly moist—especially during emergence and early growth. Avoid water stress to reduce early bolting.

Fertigation: Under drip, feed small amounts of N and K weekly. Too much N late can cause soft growth.

Pest scouting: Check 2× weekly for aphids, leaf miners, damping-off in seedlings and leaf spots. Remove diseased plants promptly.

Pruning: No pruning needed. Harvest outer leaves first to extend picking window.

Harvest: Start cutting leaves 30–45 days after sowing when plants are bushy and fragrant. For seed, allow plants to flower and dry on stalks.

Postharvest: Harvest in the cool hours, bunch gently, wash quickly and drain. Keep cool and shaded to maintain freshness.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at sowing	0	NPK 17-17-17 (light)	80 kg/ha	N: 14, P₂O₅: 14, K₂O: 14	Incorporate into top 5 cm of soil; avoid salty bands against seed.
2	Early leafy boost	14	CAN 26% N (or equivalent)	60 kg/ha	N: 16, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply on moist soil; avoid leaf burn.
3	Optional K for quality	21	SOP (sulfate of potash)	40 kg/ha	N: 0, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 20	Improves colour and shelf-life of bunches.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	30	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	20	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	20	kg/ha
N	Topdress_early	20	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Topdress_early	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Topdress_early	15	kg/ha

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Leafy selection (bunching type)	KE	45	Fragrant leaves, suited to repeated pickings.
Slow-bolt selection	TZ	50	Delays flowering in warm weather; better leaf yield.
Seed/spice type	UG	90	Grown to produce dry seeds for spice.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK 17-17-17	80	Light incorporation before sowing.
Topdress (leafy)	CAN 26% N	60	Apply 2–3 weeks after emergence.
Quality (optional)	SOP (K₂SO₄)	40	Improves leaf quality and shelf-life.

Name	Type	Symptoms	Management
Aphids	pest	Curled leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mould.	Encourage natural enemies; use soaps or selective products if numbers rise.
Leaf miners	pest	Winding mines and blotches in leaves; reduced market quality.	Remove mined leaves early; use selective controls if pressure is high.
Cutworms	pest	Seedlings cut at ground level; gaps in rows.	Keep beds clean before sowing; replant missing spots promptly.
Damping-off / seedling blights	disease	Seedlings collapse near soil line, patchy emergence.	Use clean seedbeds, avoid overwatering, improve air flow.
Leaf spots (fungal/bacterial)	disease	Small brown spots merging on leaves; early yellowing.	Avoid overhead irrigation late; widen spacing; rotate beds.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Low-input kitchen beds (leaf)	4.5	3	6	Scattered sowings, minimal fertilizer and hand watering.
Managed market beds (leaf)	9	6	12	Uniform stands, regular irrigation and topdressing.
Seed/spice production	0.9	0.6	1.2	Plants allowed to bolt and mature seeds; lower fresh-leaf yield.

Country	Region	Planting	Harvest
KE	Highlands & cool mid-altitudes	Feb–Apr (long rains) and Sep–Nov (cooler short rains)	30–75 days after sowing, depending on cut system.
TZ	Northern & southern highlands	Onset of main rains or under irrigation year-round.	Continuous pickings for 3–6 weeks from first cut.
UG	Cooler mid-altitudes	At start of reliable rains; avoid hottest months to reduce bolting.	Multiple harvests; bunch weekly once ready.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Central & Rift highlands; cooler mid-altitudes	High
TZ	Northern/southern highlands; irrigated peri-urban belts	High
UG	Mid-altitude vegetable zones around major towns	High