OK, someone please tell me what I have done wrong to the Cilantro?
Too much water?
Too much sun?
Too little water?
Not enough sun?
I really thought I would have some fresh herbs this year on hand when cooking.
One day I decided to chalk board these little terracotta planters.
I thought herbs would be a perfect fill.
So far so good on the Basil, but as you can see..Cilantro, not so good.
yellow? |
Basil is doing OK, except I do see a bit of brown on the leaves, is this normal? |
Well if nothing else, I sure made some cute chalk pots! |
Update 101:
Cilantro is GONE!
What in the world did I do wrong?
NEWBIE party still going on
HERE
La
My thumbs are pretty brown, but I always thought yellow leaves mean too much water. I'm trying to grow some from seeds and they are pretty enemic looking at this point. I will give them a couple weeks to perk up before I go to the nursery and buy some sturdier plants.
Those are some fine looking pots though! :o)
Erin
Yep, I am guessing too much water as well. It will be okay, just give it some sunshine and love and it'll green right up:)
Grammy Goodwill
I feel your pain ~ but no advice.
Pattie
Debbie, I would like to think that I have a green thumb, everything grows beautifully outside, But the min. I bring it inside. So don't feel bad. But I do know that Thyme, Sage and Oregano can be planted in the ground and will come back ever year bigger and Bigger……have a good day
Pattie
Amanda
LOL! I think there's a certain knack to growing herbs, one I don't have! Literately, between removing the herbs from their pots and replanting them, they just gave up, was minutes at the most! The next morning all raggedy looking!
The basil looks great though, mmmm making me want some pesto!
Rosie Goins
I find that benign neglect works wonders with most plants (ie. don't overwater).
ourlifeinaclick.blogspot.com
I don't know either but those pots are adorable!! I usually plant the herbs outside in pots in the summer.
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style
I don't know because I have never tried to grown herbs. I am sure I would kill them, too. I am good at killing live plants inside.
Judy
If I were in charge of the herbs I would have killed them in hours, much less a week. Inside plants and me don't see eye to eye. I would love to grow herbs. I've tried and failed. Hope someone out there can help you…I can just relate all too well.
Penny @ The Comforts of Home/Lavender Hill Studio
I have tried growing herbs indoors and they die too. I have only be successful with outside herbs. The same thing happens with me with indoor regular plants like ivy and ferns…
laurie
I agree, yellow usually means too much water,, try letting it dry out completely , then water,,love the rooster
Pam - diy Design Fanatic
I've never grown cilantro, only parsley and basil and then it was out on the deck or in the ground.
Here's a link for growing cilantro, in case you're brave enough to try again… http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/growing-cilantro.html
Ms. Bake-it
Hi Debbie,
Judging by appearance, it seems that it was over watered. Then again, it will also turn yellow it it did not get enough water. Cilantro likes shady places or at least where it does not get hit with direct sunlight or heat. I only water mine when the soil is almost dry and even then I only water it enough to dampen the soil, not saturate it. Also, when it buds you need to pinch them off before they open because it if goes to seed, the plant usual dies. When trimming, cut low because it is easier for it to grow back and fill out. Don't be discouraged, get another one and try again!
~ Tracy
Cherie
Cilantro really needs full sun – meaning at least 6 hours of full sun. It will survive on less, but won't be as full or vibrant
MyBluePeacock
I plant mine in pots outside on my deck as well, my herbs get morning sunlight a couple hours and seem to do really well…with cilantro, it's very easy to over-water.
shannon i olson
I would say too much water is a possibility, also transplant shock could have happened. If you bought the plant it could have been from the nursery also.
Basil is tougher than cilantro, it tends to be a little wimpy at first. You sid it was gone? or does it look like the photos still, if so it can be salvaged. Cut off the yellow leaves, let it dry out ( not bone dry) between waterings.
For the basil, be sure on pinch off the blooms, don't let them appear, and don't be afraid to cut it and use it, it will stimulate the growth!
I have to say yeah….cuz I hate cilantro! sorry:)
At The Picket Fence
Hi Debbie! Cilantro is one of the hardest herbs to grow, especially outside of it's "element" which is warmer temps lots of sunshine, etc. I grow lots of herbs every summer and never seem to have much luck with cilantro..so don't think it's just you…it's a fickle little herb. 😉
Heather
Glenda/MidSouth
Sorry I am of no help. I can kill a pot of rosemary in a very short time. 🙁
Kris
Hey Deb. Sorry about your herbs! I have had to deal with the munching bunnies and a voracious racoon!!!
Val
I always find that the more you ignore herbs the better they are…hehe. I love your pots and have a great day sweetie!!!!!!!!
Jo
We are both murderer's,I have tried to grow herbs from seeds,and have succeeded in killing them all,but somehow one very small basil plant is hanging on for dear life…hopefully we can save the basil,I'll let ya know if it too goes to the compost pile.NO MRS GREENGENE'S HERE!I'm really good at spraying "round-up" weed killer.Mr has invented easy way to spray.Come see!
Lovely pots,good thing it's chalk paint!teehehe
You know I love ya gurlfriend,but
"master-gardener's" we ain't!
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly
linda
yellow always is to much water it is very hard to grow herbs in the house .Pinch the leaves off i put the ones i pinch of in a plastic bag in the freezer .you could have still used the cilantro if you just sniped it and put in a freezer bag i freeze all my herbs the more you pinch basil the more it will grow.i would get a nice herb pot the clay one with the holes and keep it on your patio by the kitchen door.Like i do i love the smell when walking by and its so much fun just to go out the door to get fresh herbs i love the little chalk board pots by the way
Victoria
Don't faint Debbie but I might actually have some advice for you. When you water them always water them with a spray bottle filled with a little fertilizer and I do believe herbs grow better outside. They don't like to be transplanted either. I spray the soil daily but very lightly and move them to a sunny outdoor spot for a couple of hours. Your little pots are very cute!
laxsupermom
You've gotten some great advice already. I'd try again with less water and more sun. The pots are adorable, even though the cilantro didn't work out for you.
Daniella
When you find out, please promise to let me know!!
I had 7 herbs last summer. Each in it's own lovely pot. They grew from a seed in under a week!! I figured I was a genius!!! Then, dead by the end of the next week. I bought the pots that you water from the bottom, so as not to over water!!! I am a killer of herbs. ugh.
Good luck!
xxDaniella
Christie
Had to laugh here…everything you do turns out just swimmingly…perhaps that's why it's over watered! lol~ Sorry for the pun…My herbs are still sitting in the garage as it's sill too cold here!
AshTreeCottage
Hi Debbie! I wish I could give you some advise ~ but I have never had any luck with cilantro. All of my other herbs just thrive in my garden but I have never been able to grow cilantro. I love to make salsa so it's a big disappointment. If you discover the solution, please let me know! Give Lucy a hug from me.
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Sarah
Debbie, you might have better luck outside. We grow herbs in a small section of garden with gravel at the base of our bird bath. Things like to flourish there. It gets good drainage and lots of sunshine. ~ Sarah
Bonnie@Creative Decorating
Good luck! I sometimes am very lucky with plants and other times they just die! Not sure why! So I give up and go back to the kind I can't kill! lol
Designs on 47th Street
Hi Debbie, if it makes you feel any better, I think cilantro is one of the harder herbs to grow. I don't have a whole lot of luck with it. Basil, parsley and many of the others grow well for me but not so much on the cilantro!
Donna
lvroftiques
My thumbs are BLACK! The only things I can't kill are WEEDS!….Oh and I grow some great moss. LOL! Sorry for your loss Debbie. I *sniffle sniffle* for ya….I have fake herbs in pots *winks* Vanna
Vicki
Ok,I grew some last year and loved it. It doesn't like be transplanted, so could have just been that. Also, needs a deeper pot (like 8-12 inches deep) because it has long roots. Needs lots of sun. Wondering if too shady there. Water frequently but not too much (yellow leaves?). I could not find any healthy looking seedlings this year. It is a shame because I love, love, love cilantro! Try again with a deeper pot and some of that new Miracle Grow Potting soil for containers that helps absorb water.
Becca
I wish I could help, but, alas, I have a "silk" thumb. 🙂
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti
Hi Debbie
I've never had luck with windowsill herbs. I think they grow a lot of roots and need more soil than a small flower pot can provide. Try putting them in larger post out on your deck or backyard and they should thrive if you water only when they dry out. Keep clipping the top basil leaves so it doesn't bolt and go to seed.
Buy some African violets and put them in your cute chalkboard pots ..they grow well indoors and look pretty!
Gina
I've grown basil & Italian parsley, but never cilantro. I'm thinking yellow leaves might be too much water.
Carolyn@SweetChaos
Here's my only advice: stick with succulents. They won't taste good in your food, but they're hard to kill 🙂
Melissa
You are too funny – I can't grow herbs indoors but do very well with them outside…
♥ Sonny ♥
so sorry deb.. all mine are outside on the patio and seem to be doing ok..
try again- maybe put them on that rack you have out there..
good luck.
ℳartina @ Northern Nesting
I grow basil every year but it's in large pots outside. Your basil looks good I think the cilantro might be going yellow from to much water. I tell ya one thing Deb it made a real pretty vignette:) Love the pictures!! Martina
Vintage Beachgirl
Herbs in general, cilantro in particular will grow and be healthier out of doors. Try again in a larger pot, maybe a strawberry jar as someone above suggested. (I think that's what she meant by a pot with holes in it by your door?) Anyway, I don't know where you live but here in southeast Alabama it is almost past time to grow cilantro very successfully, it likes cool weather and sunshine. If it's still cool where you live try another one in an unpainted pot outdoors. You will be surprised how well it will do. The paint on the clay pot keeps the soil from getting much oxygen and also keeps the pot from drying out between watering. Cilantro by nature would be hard to grow indoors, try rosemary, thyme, lavender or any woody stemmed herb. Good luck, hope this helps. Take care, VBg
xinex
Hmmm, not sure, Debbie. I plant cilantro but not in a pot. They are in the soil in a raised vegetable garden and they do well…Christine
The Polka Dot Closet
Cilantro, Go to produce section of nearest grocery store and buy!! That is my extent of a green thumb LOL!
Carol
Jemsmom
I am no help to you because… My name is Kathryn and I am a serial plant killer!
NanaDiana
Cilantro likes to be outside and needs lots of sun and water but also likes good drainage…either that or it doesn't like its name chalked on the side of the pot and is going to show YOU who is boss! xxoo Diana
Pamela
Herbs have to be outside. I don't like cilantro at all so i have never bought it but i do know basil dies quickly if left inside. The only herb i found that can tolerate being in is rosemary and even she can be fussy!
Hope that helps Debbie!
Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal
Cilantro is a fussy herb to grow. It doesn't like the heat. Sun is okay but when it gets hot outside it will go to seed. Meaning it will send up some long shoots. I usually don't have a problem with basil but this year it is not growing well for me. And I killed a lemon thyme plant before I even got it potted up!
Farmer's Wyfe
I agree with everybody: I can't grow herbs inside either: great gardener outside, but kill it all inside, except my rabbit paw fern looks GREAT, and they're neat looking. They grow these little furry roots that climb out over the pot. You could try one of them. I even kill African Violets. I can do spider plant also, and aloe. Aloe is ugly though. But I use it because I seem to burn myself cooking every other day. My poor aloe is so picked at!
The Decorative Dreamer
Mmmm…I don't know what to say? Temperamental plant maybe? I didn't realize you were growing Herbs too. It is quite different isn't it. Mine are doing well except for the Lavender (not really an Herb is it) that I had to move out in the sun more. My herbs are outside on the porch…fresh air and filtered sunlight. Just try another one or another type, don't give up just yet! I've seen your yard, you do have a green thumb. You can do!
Pat
Thanks so much for sharing these fabulous images. Wonderful inspiration Debbie.
I don't know what your plant problem is. I've had those brown spots before too. A puzzlement for me.
Kathy
Boy you are asking the wrong person here but sure are enjoying reading all the comments!! I can't grow my nails let alone plants!
Sue
Herbs are difficult to grow inside. This year my SIL planted three herb plants in a pot for me and we put it outside. They are thriving. And I have the darndest brown thumb in Ohio! Probably even worse than La's. ha ha I have killed every herb I have tried to grow inside for the past three years. I either over water or I forget to water. I'm blaming their demise on their own temperament! 🙂
Life in Rehab
Debbie, those babies need to go outside. I have murdered more cilantro than I care to think about, but this year I put it in a bed, and it's going nuts!
candysu
UGH, Cilantro is the death of me (in terms of growing, not eating. I gobble that herb up!)