Sprout Cilantro Seeds Fast With TikTok's Helpful Gardening Tips

Sure, some people think cilantro tastes like soap. And who are we to say it doesn't? But if you're someone who loves the taste, being able to pick this verdant herb fresh is — well — everything. The trouble is, cilantro is a notoriously finicky herb. Knowing how to grow and care for a cilantro plant is a tricky prospect for beginner gardeners, and it can even befuddle long-time green thumbs. The plant itself struggles in weather that's too hot or too cold or if water and food levels aren't just so. And getting the seeds to germinate — quickly or, more importantly, at all — is an even more troublesome task. Some garden experts claim there are a few things you can do to help the process along, such as crushing the pinhead-sized seeds and soaking them in water prior to planting.

Cilantro seeds are almost always sold as schizocarps, tiny round dried fruit encasing two seeds, each called a monogerm seed. Monogerm seeds germinate faster than schizocarps. Global seed suppliers regularly recommend crushing and soaking these round pods to encourage germination. Splitting or crushing them breaks or removes the hard outer husk and exposes the two viable seeds inside, helping plants to grow quicker and in greater abundance, proponents claim. 

It's a type of scarification, a process that agricultural scientists recommend for commercial cilantro farming. Indeed, a real-life test by British YouTube channel Easy Gardening, where one seedling tray planted with crushed cilantro seeds is clearly more fruitful than one containing uncrushed seeds, is compelling. Soaking serves a similar purpose — that is, breaking down the hard shell so those inner seeds come into contact with water and soil faster.

Some garden professionals, however, state no pre-treatment is required for cilantro seed germination. Just pop them in some soil, give them some water, and wait. Keeping the seeds moist until germination is vital, so a good pre-soak probably isn't going to hurt them. Whether the extra step is necessary over simply ensuring the soil they've been sown into is kept damp is up for debate. As with most things gardening, testing this idea for yourself is probably the best option, even if it's just to disprove it and remove it from your never-ending list of must-tries. This is where the benefits of using a digital garden calendar come in; you can record and review the results of your experiment to work out if it's worth the effort.

All you need to release the kernels inside the pods is your hand; rub each little dried cilantro fruit between your finger and thumb in a pinching action. You may see tiny seeds tumble out or you may not, but even just opening the outer shell is helpful when it comes to improving germination rates. Discard any pods that are too small or won't open. 

How long you should soak your seeds for optimal growth varies depending on who you consult, but most sources state anywhere from overnight to 48 hours. Some experts also recommend letting the soaked seeds dry before planting. Once your seeds are prepared, it's best to sow them directly into your garden rather than seedling trays or pots. They have a long taproot that hates being disturbed.