Coriander
Coriandrum sativum L.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is an aromatic herb of the carrot family; its fresh leaves are eaten raw and its dried seeds (coriander spice) are used as a seasoning and medicine — found in phở, salads and many Asian and Western dishes.
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CorianderCorianderCorianderOverview
Coriander is an annual herb 20–50 cm tall with slender, branched stems; basal leaves are pinnately lobed while upper leaves are finely divided. Small white to pale-pink flowers grow in umbels; the dry fruit is a sphere 3–5 mm across containing two seeds and developing a warm aroma as it ripens.
Coriander originated around the Mediterranean and the Middle East and is grown worldwide; in Vietnam it is a common herb in phở, vermicelli, salads and bánh xèo. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked; the toasted seeds flavour phở and curries, and coriander essential oil is used in food and cosmetics. Traditional medicine uses the seeds to aid digestion and promote sweating.
Life cycle
From seed to productSeed & germination
The plant is propagated mainly by **seed**: sow fresh or pre-treated seed in loose, moist soil and keep it evenly damp; germination follows within a few weeks.
Seedling & growth
Seedlings establish, forming leaves and roots; growth rate depends on light and moisture.
Flowering
The plant blooms with **small white umbel flowers, April–June**; pollination is by insects and wind.
Fruiting & harvest
After each cut the plant regrows young leaves from stems and shoots; **whole plants cut 30–45 days after sowing, seed gathered June–July**.
Distribution & origin
Share of recorded occurrences by region- Mediterranean & Middle East30%
- Asia40%
- Others30%
Chemical composition
Relative content in agarwood resin- Linalool essential oilMain aroma35%
- Vitamin K, CMicronutrients30%
- FlavonoidsAntioxidant35%
Uses
- Leaves eaten raw or cooked
- Toasted seeds season phở and curries
- Essential oil and seeds in medicine
Properties
- Taste
- Leaves fresh; seeds warm, citrusy
- Value
- Rich in vitamins and essential oil
Habitat & conservation
Cool climate; friable soil; grown year-round in the tropics.
Conservation
Cultivated worldwide; not threatened.
References
- 1Kew Science – Plants of the World Online: Coriandrum sativum — Kew (Plants of the World Online), 2026
- 2Wikipedia – Coriander — Wikipedia, 2026