Side by side
Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.
Comparing Wild Bergamot vs. Cilantro
The comparison
| Fact | | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Easy |
| Life cycle | Perennial | Annual |
| Germination time | 7–14 days | Not yet verified |
| Germination temperature | 16–21 °C61–70 °F | 18–21 °C64–70 °F |
| Sowing depth | Not yet verified | 6 mm–1.5 cm¼–½ in |
| Spacing between plants | Not yet verified | 5 cm2 in |
| Sun | Full sun, partial shade | Full sun, partial shade |
| Water | Moderate | Not yet verified |
| Containers | Not yet verified | Yes, 7.6 L or largerYes, 2 gal or larger |
| Toxicity to cats | Not yet verified | Non-toxic |
| Toxicity to dogs | Not yet verified | Non-toxic |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
HerbsMonarda fistulosa
Wild bergamot is a clump-forming native perennial in the mint family that grows 2 to 4 feet (61 to 122 cm) tall and blooms in pale purple or pink in summer. Seeds usually sprout in 7 to 14 days when kept warm.
How to grow wild bergamotHerbsCoriandrum sativum
A fast-growing annual grown for its leaves (cilantro) and its seeds (coriander). Sow it straight into the ground or a pot in cool weather, because it bolts quickly in summer heat.
How to grow cilantroKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Wild Bergamot vs. Cilantro vs. BasilAdd basil as a third
Wild Bergamot vs. Cilantro vs. Bee BalmAdd bee balm as a third
Wild Bergamot vs. Cilantro vs. BorageAdd borage as a thirdWild Bergamot vs. BasilWild Bergamot against another herbCilantro vs. BasilCilantro against another herbWild Bergamot vs. Bee BalmWild Bergamot against another herbThe table, row by row
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.
