Hydroponic Growing Kit

Cilantro Slow Bolt

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

  • 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 reservoir shaded with the sleeve so light does not reach the water and roots.

  • Shake Before Use

    Shake the nutrient solution before measuring.

  • Provide Airflow

    Provide airflow around the plant and avoid excessive moisture on the growing plug.

  • Measure by Stage

    Use the stage-specific nutrient amount rather than adding an unplanned nutrient dose.

  • Keep Moderate Temperatures

    Keep cilantro in moderate temperatures, especially during germination and when bolting is a concern.

3

Set Up Your Kit

Four simple steps

  1. 01

    Choose the Growing Location

    Choose a suitable indoor growing location with moderate temperature, usable light, and airflow.
  2. 02

    Add Water and Nutrient

    Begin with 16 fl oz of water. At about 8 fl oz, add plain water back to 16 fl oz. Use 0.5 mL nutrient per 16 fl oz at setup.
  3. 03

    Plant the Seeds

    Locate the five pre-formed planting holes on the growing plug. Place one Slow Bolt cilantro seed in each hole, five seeds total. Press each seed gently into the moist plug and cover only lightly.
  4. 04

    Start the Light Schedule

    Begin the 12–14-hour light schedule immediately after sowing. Check the plug every few days and check for sprouts from day 5 through day 10. If a hole is empty on day 10, place one fresh seed in that hole.
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

    After several true leaves have formed.

  4. Harvest-Ready Growth

    When well-leafed stems are about 6–8 inches and the plant has developed a full harvestable canopy.

  5. Harvest & Regrowth

    Young inner leaves continue growing after a moderate harvest of outer stems.

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.
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 8–10 hours of darkness.
What to do
Keep temperatures moderate. Check each hole through day 10 and reseed any empty hole.
Ready for next stage
Seed leaves are open and the first pair of true leaves is beginning to form.

Seedling

Typical appearance
Upright seedlings with the first rounded, lobed cilantro leaves.
Typical timing
From emergence until 2–3 pairs of true leaves.
Water
At about 8 fl oz, add plain water back to 16 fl oz. Never exceed 16 fl oz.
Nutrient
Use 0.5 mL per 16 fl oz at a complete refresh. Refresh every 2–3 weeks.
Light
12–14 hours under the grow light. Rotate the jar a quarter turn weekly.
What to do
Snip extra seedlings at plug level. Retain the strongest 2–3 plants. Do not pull seedlings.
Ready for next stage
Sturdy stems, 2–3 true leaf pairs, and roots entering the reservoir.

Vegetative

Typical appearance
Upright stems with increasingly divided leaves; 2–3 plants fill the plug.
Typical timing
After several true leaves have formed.
Water
Maintain 8–16 fl oz as a routine range. Check several times per week as the canopy expands.
Nutrient
Use 1 mL per 16 fl oz at a complete refresh. Use plain water between refreshes.
Light
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 flower stalk.
Ready for next stage
Several healthy upright stems with divided leaves and no persistent yellowing.

Harvest-Ready Growth

Typical appearance
Full canopy with leafy outer stems and tender center growth.
Typical timing
When well-leafed stems are about 6–8 inches and the plant has developed a full harvestable canopy.
Water
Use plain water at about 8 fl oz and check more often in warmth or rapid growth.
Nutrient
Use up to 1 mL per 16 fl oz at a complete refresh. Do not add extra nutrient between refreshes.
Light
12–14 hours of light. Weak light can cause long stems and small leaves.
What to do
Cut outer stems near the base. Preserve the center crown and at least two-thirds of the foliage.
Ready for next stage
Outer stems are large enough to cut and the center remains healthy and leafy.

Harvest & Regrowth

Typical appearance
Cut outer stems remain around an intact center while young leaves expand.
Typical timing
Young inner leaves continue growing after a moderate harvest of outer stems.
Water
After harvest, add plain water to 16 fl oz if the reservoir is near 8 fl oz.
Nutrient
Refresh every 2–3 weeks using the established dose of up to 1 mL per 16 fl oz.
Light
Maintain the regular light schedule.
What to do
Harvest often and moderately. Keep healthy foliage and remove flower buds.
Ready for next stage
Young inner leaves are expanding from the intact center.
Rules That Apply at Every StageLight, water, refresh, and more.
  • Use 12–14 hours of light daily, followed by 8–10 hours of darkness.
  • When water reaches about 8 fl oz, add plain water back to 16 fl oz.
  • Refresh the solution every 2–3 weeks and use the stage-specific nutrient dose only at refresh.
  • Use plain water between refreshes; do not add extra nutrient.
  • Keep the reservoir shaded by the cork sleeve and rotate the jar a quarter turn weekly.
Harvest & RegrowHow and when to harvest, and how to keep plants growing.

Harvest & Regrow

Cut outer stems near the base while preserving the center crown and at least two-thirds of the foliage. Continue moderate harvesting so young inner leaves can expand.

Regrow or RestartContinue your plant or start a new cycle.

Continue Same Plant

Continue moderate harvesting while the center crown remains healthy and young inner leaves continue expanding. Remove flower buds and maintain the regular light schedule.

Start New Cycle

If the plant develops another flower stalk or the existing plant is no longer suitable for continued harvest, use the kit to begin another growing cycle.

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 is between the 8 fl oz action point and 16 fl oz maximum.
  • Roots look pale and fresh-smelling.
  • Two or three healthy plants remain.
  • Use only the stage-specific nutrient dose at complete refresh: 0.5 mL during germination/seedling and 1 mL during vegetative or established growth, per 16 fl oz.
  • The cork sleeve remains on and flower buds are removed.