Coriander Dhania Seeds (Kalmi)

Coriander (dhania) is probably the most-used herb in an Indian kitchen, which makes it one of the more satisfying things to grow yourself — a tray by the door means garnish is never more than a few steps away. It bolts fast in heat, so a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day can help keep leaf production going longer. Seeds go in about 1 cm deep, and germination is on the slower, more variable side — anywhere from 7 to 14 days — so a patchy first week isn't a sign of failure. Keep the soil evenly moist rather than letting it dry between waterings, and give the container 4-6 hours of sun. Thin seedlings to 15-20 cm apart, since coriander needs room to bush out before you start snipping, and leaves are ready to harvest from about 40-50 days onward.