Coriander is a great herb that I love to grown and cook with. Coriander likes to grow in full sun, though can stand up to a little shade, it is a half hardy herb and thrives in well drained soil that is kept moist. The plant tends to grow to around 50-60cms and has a spread of approximately 30-40cms.

I grow my coriander in my herb garden along with other herbs. I plant seeds indoors around April-May time, transplanting the seedlings out into the herb garden when they look robust enough to with stand outdoor conditions, so when they are about 3-4 cms in height. They grow very fast, which is good as they can be used in loads of different dishes and its good to have a plentiful stock, but to maintain a plentiful stock you have to keep planting new seedlings as coriander does not seem to last very long, unlike other herbs such as basil or mint that seem to keep on producing new shoots.

The whole of the plant can be used, the stalks provide a stronger, more bitter taste, but are still good to use, though better used in cooking, whereas the leaves can be used both as a flavouring and just sprinkled on top of dished of curry or fragrant Thai soups.

Some people find that coriander leaves them with a bitter, soapy taste in their mouths and that they find it rather revolting, others love the versatile herb. Overall I would recommend growing and using coriander, as it is easy, to grow, use and it smells great.