I have tried (mostly unsuccessfully) to grow cilantro and usually find it to be weak and prone to early bolting. I just put in another try with a pony pack of Santo. After I diligently teased all the seedlings apart and set them in the ground, I noted the tag suggests planting them in clumps. Hmm. Maybe that's what I've been doing wrong? Once one does get this plant to thrive, will it reseed reliably? I have a vivid memory of a non-gardener friend (in my general area) who had cilantro growing all around her house foundation with no care on her part. She used to mow it to try to keep it under control. I would sure love to achieve that. I noted that @p1mkw @catmint20907 and @joy have all posted photos or comments on this, and would love any advice you might have. Thanks!

Culantro has a flavor similar to that of cilantro, but stronger

http://bonnieplants.com/growin...

I grow some cilantro every year, I just direct seed it into the garden in a row, and it grows like crazy. I've never had it self seed though.

Direct seed it regularly. They dislike their roots being disturbed so it doesn't transplant well. I have it growing freely and reseeding freely in one of my high tunnels. It is actually becoming a weed where it is at.

I start mine inside in paper pots and plant the whole pot. But I always have it growing all over the garden too. It does bolt easily. Hates the heat. In my opinion, there is nothing mild about the flavor of cilantro. UGH!!! Nasty stuff. I grow it for others.

Culantro is supposed to take the heat better. I have never been successful getting it going yet. I'll keep trying.

well it is strong, nasty if used too much. It is great in mexican dishes, salsas and dips. I just use a small pair of scissors and snip it up tiny, just use a little. Also great to cook in a pot of rice, again not too much and I add diced onion-brown it a little. Yummy! I don't know the variety I used to grow but it did go downhill after it got hot out. It would make little white flowers and seed which are good sized (i'd say 1/2 the size of a pea or thereabouts) and I just save the seed and scatter it out in the fall for a second crop.

I have direct sown mine as well. My DIL uses it a lot in her bean dishes and chicken rice and I love it in there. I think when I had it one time it was way too much in the dish.

I grow it just because I think it's pretty. I carefully started some indoors a few years ago. Now it grows all over the back end of the garden. And yes, it would just as soon bolt as look at you. It's definitely happy to self seed here at least.