Weeds That Look Like Cilantro – How to Identify and Remove Them from Your Garden

Cilantro, also known as coriander, is a popular culinary herb recognized for its bright, citrusy flavor. However, cilantro has some look-alike weeds that can easily be mistaken for the real thing. These imposters can quickly take over your garden if left unchecked. This article will go over how to identify weeds that resemble cilantro and provide tips for effectively removing them.

Characteristics of Cilantro

Before we look at cilantro look-alikes let’s review some key characteristics of cilantro itself

• Feathery, delicate leaves that are finely divided into lacy segments
• Bright green leaves with a soft, ruffled appearance
• Leaves arranged alternately along the stem
• Distinctive citrusy aroma when crushed
• Grows up to 2 feet tall
• Produces white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters

Keep these attributes in mind as we explore some common weeds that bear a resemblance,

Weeds that Can be Confused with Cilantro

Poison Hemlock

Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a particularly dangerous cilantro look-alike. This weed contains toxic alkaloids that can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and even death if ingested.

Distinguishing features:

• Fern-like leaves that are shiny and lack cilantro’s aroma
• Purple splotches on hollow green stems
• Grows up to 10 feet tall
• Small white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters

Wild Carrot

Also known as Queen Anne’s lace, wild carrot (Daucus carota) is another weed that resembles cilantro at first glance.

Distinguishing features:

• More finely divided leaves than cilantro
• Stems densely covered in bristly hairs
• Flat-topped clusters of tiny white flowers

Chervil

A popular herb in French cuisine, chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is often mistaken for cilantro.

Distinguishing features:

• More delicate, fern-like leaves than cilantro
• Distinct anise-like aroma when crushed
• Small white flowers on long stems

Dill

With its feathery leaves, dill (Anethum graveolens) bears a similarity to cilantro, especially when young.

Distinguishing features:

• Blue-green color rather than cilantro’s brighter green
• Distinctive dill aroma when leaves are crushed
• Yellow flower clusters

How to Remove Cilantro Look-Alikes

If you spot any of these cilantro fakes growing in your garden, prompt removal is key before they go to seed and spread. Here are some tips for effective removal:

Manual uprooting: Carefully dig down to loosen the soil and extract the entire root system. This is the most effective method. Wear gloves to protect your skin.

Cutting: Using a sharp hoe, spade or shears, cut the weed off at its base, as close to the ground as possible. Be thorough in removing all plant material to prevent regrowth.

Smothering: Cover the weeds with several inches of organic mulch like wood chips or leaves. This cuts off their access to sunlight. Replenish the mulch as needed.

Using vinegar: Spray full strength vinegar on the weeds to burn and kill foliage and roots. Avoid contact with desired plants. Reapply as needed.

Solarizing: Cover weeds with a plastic tarp or black landscaping fabric. The heat from the sun will kill them over time. Keep covered for at least 6 weeks.

Flame weeding: Use a propane torch to apply heat directly to weeds, which disrupts plant tissues and kills the weed. Carefully avoid lighting your other plants on fire.

Preventing Further Growth

Once you’ve eliminated the current weeds, there are several steps you can take to prevent regrowth and future invasions:

• Maintain a thick layer of mulch around your plants to suppress weeds.

• Cultivate the soil frequently to disrupt weed seeds and seedlings.

• Plant densely to crowd out space for weeds to establish.

• Promptly pull any new weeds as soon as you spot them.

• Keep your garden well-hydrated and fertilized to promote vigorous growth.

• Rotate your crops each season to disrupt weed cycles.

• Use pre-emergent herbicides labeled for your garden area.

Key Takeaways

• Several common weeds like poison hemlock, wild carrot, chervil and dill can be mistaken for cilantro at first glance.

• Identifying differences in leaf shape, plant height, flowers and aroma can help distinguish cilantro from look-alikes.

• Manual uprooting, cutting, smothering and using vinegar or flame weeding are effective weed removal methods.

• Prevent future growth through mulching, cultivation, dense planting, prompt weeding and other smart gardening practices.

Stay vigilant against cilantro imposters invading your garden. With proper identification and removal techniques, you can keep your cilantro harvests weed-free and bountiful. Share your tips and tricks for identifying cilantro look-alikes in the comments!