Coriandrum sativum var. Slow Bolt Cilantro is a versatile and easy-to-grow herb that provides both cilantro leaves and coriander seeds for flavoring a wide range of dishes. This variety gets its name from being slow to bolt, meaning it will not flower as quickly as the regular plant. This gives you more time to harvest the leaves. The leaves have a distinctive, fresh fragrance that is indispensable in Mexican and Southeast Asian salads, soups, and meat dishes, while the dried seeds are used in European and Middle Eastern stews, sausages, sweet breads, and cakes. This annual herb grows quickly and produces harvestable cilantro in about a month and coriander in about 90 days. It prefers full sun to partial shade and grows best in well-drained soil. Coriander is often cultivated both on a garden scale and commercially for its edible seed, and it is free of pests and diseases. It is a good companion plant, helping to repel aphids and carrot root fly, and grows well with anise, dill, and chervil. This dual purpose herb is a must-have in any kitchen garden.