Keep Your Cilantro Thriving: The Tip You Need To Protect This Tender Plant From Frost

It may be true that there are only two types of people in the world — those who love cilantro and those who insist it tastes like soap. For proud members of the former group, growing your own cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a great way to enjoy the herb in any dish. It is fairly easy to grow, and simple aids, such as Epsom salt, can help cilantro flourish and make beginner gardeners feel like total pros. The herb prefers cooler temperatures, so fall is a great time to try your hand at growing cilantro, especially in plant hardiness zones 8, 9, and 10. Cilantro is more cold-hardy than it appears, but when those crisp autumn mornings give way to hard freezes, you'll need to protect those tasty and tender leaves.

Luckily, protecting cilantro from damaging frosts is easy — just cover the plant with a cloche. Traditionally, cloches are bell-shaped glass jars that gardeners place over plants to protect them from the cold ('cloche' is French for 'bell'). These days, cloches can be made of just about anything and have a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes to suit an array of gardening needs. Since cilantro is a cold-weather herb, covering it with a cloche may be all you need to see your plant through the winter months. Of course, the herb's success will depend on your climate, so yours may need a bit more insulation, such as a layer of mulch to protect the soil, or it may prefer to spend a particularly frigid winter indoors.

Using a winter cloche is a popular way for gardeners to protect outdoor plants from frost, and the method can be as simple, affordable, and customizable as you want it to be. Sure, you can head to your local nursery and buy a high-end cloche to adorn your herb garden — or you can DIY your own using household materials you already have. When looking for potential cloche materials, keep in mind that cilantro loves full sun in colder months, so a clear cloche is ideal. One idea is to upcycle vintage glass light shades into cute cloches by adding a decorative doorknob to the top of each. Keep in mind, though, that since cloches are usually small, they can quickly over-insulate and become too hot with direct sunlight. You'll need to keep an eye on your cilantro to ensure it stays happy and healthy under the cloche.

Not only will a cloche help keep your cilantro insulated from a hard freeze, but it also protects the herb from a variety of other threats. It keeps pests at bay, serves as a wind shield, and helps lock in moisture, which cilantro loves. If your cilantro has already taken a hard freeze, don't be dismayed. Cut back the plant to remove the damaged leaves and stems, and your favorite herb should bounce back with proper care.