Hydroponic Growing Kit

Cilantro-Calypso

Growing Guide

A complete step-by-step guide to help you grow fresh, flavorful cilantro at home with your ClearGro kit.

1

What's Included

Package contents & part names

Shown for part identification. The growing jar arrives pre-assembled.
  • 32 fl oz Mason Jar

    32 fl oz Mason Jar

  • Cork Sleeve

  • Wick

    Wick

  • Net Pot

    Net Pot

  • Growing Plug

    Growing Plug

  • Band

    Band

  • Seed Tube

    Seed Tube

  • Seed Spoon

    Seed Spoon

  • Indoor Plant Nutrient

    Indoor Plant Nutrient

2

Five Essentials

Before you start

  • Keep Roots Shaded

    Keep the cork sleeve on the jar to shield roots and nutrient solution from direct light.

  • Shake Before Use

    Shake ClearGro Indoor Plant Nutrient (3-2-5) before every use.

  • Measure by Stage

    Use 0.5 mL, 1 mL, or up to 1.5 mL per 16 fl oz only at a complete refresh.

  • Keep Moderate Temperatures

    Aim for 60-75°F (16-24°C). Sustained temperatures above about 75°F (24°C) may accelerate bolting.

  • Provide Airflow

    Use ordinary indoor airflow and keep the plant away from heating or cooling vents.

3

Set Up Your Kit

Four simple steps

  1. 01

    Choose the Growing Location

    Use a grow light for 12–14 hours daily, followed by 10–12 hours of darkness. Once established, cilantro may also grow with at least 5–6 hours of strong natural light. A room temperature around 60-75°F (16-24°C) supports healthy leafy growth. Sustained temperatures above about 75°F (24°C) may accelerate bolting. Leave space above the jar so the light can be raised as the cilantro grows.
  2. 02

    Add Water and Nutrient

    Remove the band and net pot from the 32 fl oz mason jar. Add 2 cups (16 fl oz / about 475 mL) of room-temperature water. This is half-full in the jar and is the maximum fill level. Shake the ClearGrow Indoor Plant Nutrient (3-2-5). Add 1/2 dropper (approximately 0.5 mL) to the 16 fl oz of water and mix thoroughly. Replace the net pot and band. At the 16 fl oz fill level, the net pot remains above the nutrient solution.
  3. 03

    Plant the Seeds

    Locate the five pre-formed planting holes on the growing plug. Use the seed spoon to place 1 Calypso cilantro seed in each hole—5 seeds total. Press each seed gently into its hole so it contacts the moist plug. Cover lightly; do not bury it deeply.
  4. 04

    Start the Light Schedule

    Begin the 12–14-hour light schedule immediately after sowing. Check the plug every few days. It should remain evenly moist, not flooded, slimy, or dry and hard. Check for sprouts from day 5 through day 10. If a hole is still empty on day 10, place 1 fresh seed in that hole without disturbing nearby seedlings.
  5. 05

    Day 10 Reseeding

    Use one fresh seed in each empty hole. Do not add another nutrient dose. Continue the 16 fl oz maximum water level, moderate temperature, and regular light schedule.
4

Stage Guide

One-page care reference

  1. Germination

    Usually 5–10 days.

  2. Seedling

    From emergence until 2–3 pairs of true leaves.

  3. Vegetative

    Vegetative growth accelerates after several true leaves have formed.

  4. Harvest-Ready Growth

    Begin when stems are well leafed and roughly 6–8 inches tall; use plant size rather than a fixed date.

  5. Harvest & Regrowth

    Young inner leaves continue growing after a moderate outer-stem harvest.

Stage DetailsSee what you will see, water & nutrient, and light & key action for each stage.

Germination

Typical appearance
Two long, narrow seed leaves open while a pale root extends through the plug.
Typical timing
Usually 5–10 days.
Water
Begin at 16 fl oz. At about 8 fl oz, add plain water back to 16 fl oz. Never fill above 16 fl oz.
Nutrient
Use 0.5 mL per 16 fl oz at setup. Do not add another dose during germination.
Light
12–14 hours under a grow light, followed by 10–12 hours of darkness.
What to do
Keep temperatures moderate. Check from day 5 through day 10, then reseed empty holes.
Ready for next stage
The narrow seed leaves have opened and the first lobed true leaf is beginning to form.

Seedling

Typical appearance
The seedling stands upright as the first rounded, lobed cilantro leaves unfold.
Typical timing
From emergence until 2–3 pairs of true leaves.
Water
At about 8 fl oz, add plain water to 16 fl oz. Never exceed 16 fl oz.
Nutrient
At complete refresh, use 0.5 mL per 16 fl oz. Refresh every 2–3 weeks. Between complete refreshes, add plain water only.
Light
Continue 12–14 hours. Rotate the jar one-quarter turn weekly.
What to do
Snip extras at plug level; retain the strongest two or three seedlings.
Ready for next stage
The retained plants stand upright, have 2–3 lobed true leaves, and show pale roots entering the reservoir.

Vegetative

Typical appearance
Upright stems carry increasingly divided cilantro leaves while two or three well-spaced plants fill the plug.
Typical timing
Vegetative growth accelerates after several true leaves have formed.
Water
Use the 8-to-16 fl oz routine. Check several times per week as the canopy expands.
Nutrient
At complete refresh, use 1 mL per 16 fl oz. Add plain water only between refreshes.
Light
Provide 12–14 hours of strong light. Raise the lamp before leaves touch it.
What to do
Keep 2–3 healthy plants; protect the center, remove weak seedlings, and watch for a rising flower stalk.
Ready for next stage
The plants have several healthy lobed leaves, sturdy stems, and no persistent yellowing, wilt, or flower stalk.

Harvest-Ready Growth

Typical appearance
A full canopy has multiple leafy outer stems and tender new growth in the center.
Typical timing
Begin when stems are well leafed and roughly 6–8 inches tall; use plant size rather than a fixed date.
Water
Add plain water at about 8 fl oz. Check more often during warm weather or rapid growth.
Nutrient
At complete refresh, use up to 1 mL per 16 fl oz. Never add extra between refreshes.
Light
Keep the 12–14-hour schedule; weak light causes long stems and small leaves.
What to do
Cut outer stems 1 inch above the plug, preserving the crown and inner leaves; remove no more than 1/3.
Ready for next stage
Several outer stems are large enough to cut while the center still contains healthy young leaves.

Harvest & Regrowth

Typical appearance
Cut outer stems surround an intact center where young leaves continue expanding.
Typical timing
Young inner leaves continue growing after a moderate outer-stem harvest.
Water
After harvest, add plain water to 16 fl oz if the jar is near 8 fl oz.
Nutrient
Continue the established-plant rate—1 mL per 16 fl oz—only at the next complete 2–3-week refresh.
Light
Maintain the regular light schedule so remaining leaves support regrowth.
What to do
Harvest often but moderately. Keep healthy foliage and remove flower buds.
Ready for next stage
Fresh inner leaves are expanding and the remaining plants stand upright without a persistent flower stalk.
Rules That Apply at Every StageLight, water, refresh, and more.
  • Light: 12–14 hours daily, followed by 10–12 hours of darkness.
  • Water: when the jar reaches about 8 fl oz, add plain water back to 16 fl oz.
  • Refresh: every 2–3 weeks; add the stage dose only at the complete refresh.
  • Between refreshes: add plain water only - no extra nutrient.
  • Keep the reservoir shaded with the cork sleeve and rotate the jar one-quarter turn weekly.
Harvest & RegrowHow and when to harvest, and how to keep plants growing.

Harvest & Regrowth

Cut outer stems surround an intact center where young leaves continue expanding. Young inner leaves continue growing after a moderate outer-stem harvest. After harvest, add plain water to 16 fl oz if the jar is near 8 fl oz. Continue the established-plant rate—1 mL per 16 fl oz—only at the next complete 2–3-week refresh. Maintain the regular light schedule so remaining leaves support regrowth. Harvest often but moderately. Keep healthy foliage and remove flower buds.

Regrow or RestartContinue your plant or start a new cycle.

Option A — Continue the Same Plant

Continue cutting outer stems near the base while preserving the center crown and at least two-thirds of the foliage. At the next complete refresh, use up to 1 mL per 16 fl oz. Replace the plants when bolting continues, leaves become fine and sparse, flavor declines, or root health deteriorates.

Option B — Start a New Cycle

Discard the old plant, plug, and roots. Wash and rinse the jar, band, net pot and wick. Install a fresh plug and seeds, then return to “Set Up Your Kit”. Do not reuse the old plug.

TroubleshootingCommon issues and solutions.

No sprout by day 10

Confirm moderate temperature, 12–14 hours of light, and the 16 fl oz water level. Place one fresh seed in each empty hole.

Tall, weak seedlings

Increase usable light, move the lamp closer without touching leaves, rotate the jar weekly, and retain only two or three well-spaced plants.

Yellow or pale leaves

Check light, roots, water level, and the stage-specific ClearGro 3-2-5 schedule. Do not add an unplanned nutrient dose.

White fuzz or mold on plug

Remove visible growth gently, improve airflow, and avoid pouring water onto the plug. Replace the plug if growth is widespread, smells sour, or seedlings decline.

Brown, slimy roots or odor

Discard badly damaged roots, wash the jar, replace the solution, keep the reservoir shaded by the sleeve, and ensure the level does not exceed 16 fl oz.

Green algae

Keep the cork sleeve on, block light from the reservoir, and clean the jar during the next solution refresh.

Small leaves or long stems

Increase usable light while keeping the plant cool. Confirm the 12–14-hour schedule and remove overcrowded seedlings.

Central stalk rises quickly

This is bolting. Reduce heat, keep the light schedule to 12–14 hours, harvest usable leaves, and prepare to restart if another flower stalk develops.

Leaf edges look scorched

Increase the distance from the grow light and confirm the nutrient was measured correctly; do not add extra nutrient.

Simple Weekly CheckA quick checklist for healthy plants.
  • Light timer works and leaves do not touch the lamp.
  • Water stays between the 8 fl oz action point and the 16 fl oz maximum fill line.
  • Roots are pale and fresh-smelling, not brown, slimy, or foul-smelling.
  • Two or three healthy plants remain in the plug.
  • Use the stage-specific nutrient dose only at a complete refresh: 0.5 mL during germination and seedling growth, 1 mL during vegetative growth, each per 16 fl oz.
  • The cork sleeve remains on and flower buds are removed promptly.