Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a popular, fast-growing herb often started directly from seed in a garden or container. Identifying the tiny shoots as they first emerge from the soil is a frequent challenge for new gardeners. The initial appearance of the cilantro plant is significantly different from the mature leaves used in cooking, making accurate identification at the seedling stage a matter of recognizing distinct visual cues. Understanding these early growth phases ensures you are nurturing the correct plant.
The First Signs: Cotyledon Leaves
The very first leaves that appear above the soil are called cotyledons, representing the embryonic leaves stored within the seed itself. Cilantro, a dicotyledonous plant, will push up two of these leaves simultaneously on a slender, pale green stem. These cotyledons are uniform in appearance, small, smooth, and have an elongated, oval, or teardrop shape. They function as the seedling’s initial food source, providing the necessary energy for the plant to begin its growth cycle.
The cotyledons are bright green and lack the complex structure that the mature foliage possesses. They also do not carry the strong, distinct aroma associated with cilantro. These embryonic leaves are temporary and will eventually yellow and drop off once the plant develops its true leaves. Observing the pair of simple, smooth leaves is the earliest visual confirmation of a cilantro seedling.
Developing the True Cilantro Shape
The next stage involves the emergence of the true leaves, which develop from the growing point between the two cotyledons. This new set of foliage begins to display the characteristic shape of the mature herb. The true leaves are deeply lobed and serrated, resembling the fan-like or parsley-like structure that is instantly recognizable. They transition to a more compound, feathery appearance as the plant matures.
These true leaves are the first to produce the strong, pungent, and sometimes citrusy scent of cilantro. This aroma becomes noticeable if a leaf is gently crushed or rubbed, providing a sensory confirmation that visual cues alone cannot offer. The presence of this lobed, jagged foliage marks the transition into the vegetative growth phase. These leaves will become the primary source of the herb for culinary use.
Avoiding Misidentification
Cilantro seedlings are occasionally mistaken for common garden weeds or other herbs, particularly flat-leaf parsley, due to their initial visual similarity. Flat-leaf parsley also has two cotyledons, but its true leaves tend to be pointier and more jagged, whereas young cilantro leaves are slightly rounder and curvier overall. The most dependable method for distinguishing cilantro from its look-alikes is the scent test applied to the true leaves.
The strong, unique aroma of cilantro, often described as spicy or musky, is completely different from the milder, grassy scent of parsley. Cilantro seedlings grow on a single main stem with a well-defined taproot, which helps differentiate them from low-growing, spreading weeds like chickweed or clover. Observing the individual, upright growth habit and performing the “sniff test” on the true leaves are the most practical steps to confirm proper identification.